Topic 4 - Waves - Refraction

Question 1

What happens to a wave when it passes from air to glass?

Answer 1

The wave is refracted at the boundary and changes direction to bend towards the normal

Refraction occurs due to the change in speed as the wave enters a more optically denser medium.

Question 2

What happens to the speed of a wave when it enters a more optically denser medium?

Answer 2

Speed decreases

This decrease in speed is a fundamental principle of wave behavior in different media.

Question 3

What happens to the wavelength of a wave when it enters a more optically denser medium?

Answer 3

Wavelength decreases

The relationship between speed, frequency, and wavelength explains this decrease.

Question 4

What is the relationship between the energy of a wave and its frequency?

Answer 4

Energy is directly linked to frequency

This means that if the frequency remains constant while the speed decreases, the wavelength must also decrease.

Question 5

True or False: The energy of a wave changes when it passes into a more optically denser medium.

Answer 5

False

The energy of a wave remains constant during this transition.

Question 6

Fill in the blank: When a wave enters a more optically denser medium, it bends closer to the _______.

Answer 6

normal

This bending occurs due to the change in speed and direction of the wave.