REFRACTION

TOPIC 14 : LIGHT

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As a transverse wave light behave in the following ways:

Reflected

Refracted

Diffracted

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WAVE BEHAVIOUR

The change in the direction of the light wave as they move from one medium to another.

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REFRACTION OF LIGHT

Due to the change in the speed of light as its passes through substances of different optical density.

Substance A Substance B

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REFRACTION OF WAVES

Due to the change in the speed of light as its passes through substances of different optical density.

Depends on the angle at which light hits the boundary between the different substances.
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REFRACTION OF WAVES

CONSTRUCTION OF REFRACTED WAVES

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The following diagrams show three wavefronts passing from shallow water into Scenario A Scenario B wing diagrams show three to wavefronts passing shallow deep water. Complete the diagram show the direction of the from wavefronts after water in r. Complete the diagram to show the direction of the wavefronts af crossing the boundary.

he boundary.

Light passing through straight on.

Light passing through at an angle.

a) On the diagram below show the direction of the wavefront as it passes over the boundary XY.

REFRACTION OF LIGHT
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Light rays will be affected as follows when moving from optically dense to optically less dense medium along the normal.

Light path is not refracted.

Speed decreases. Wavelength decreases.

Speed increases. Wavelength increases.

REFRACTION OF LIGHT
Prepared by Cg Edna Maria Hj Osman. E-mail: edna.maria.osman@gmail.com
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Light rays will be affected as follows when moving from optically less dense to optically dense medium.
The speed decreases.

The wavelength decreases.

Wave path is refracted towards the normal.

REFRACTION OF LIGHT
Prepared by Cg Edna Maria Hj Osman. E-mail: edna.maria.osman@gmail.com
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Light rays will be affected as follows when moving from optically dense to optically less dense medium.
The speed increases.

The wavelength increases.

Wave path is refracted away from the normal.

Incident Angle

TERMINOLOGIES

Angle of Refraction

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LAWS OF REFRACTION

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REFRACTIVE INDEX
For light rays moving from a vacuum into a given medium.

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REFRACTIVE INDEX
Refractive index of some common materials.

Substances with high refractive index tend to refract light rays more.
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Optical Illusion of Height and Depth

Apparent position of objects in water

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REFRACTION OF LIGHT

Optical Illusion of Height and Depth

Apparent star position

Mirages

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REFRACTION OF LIGHT

Refractive index can also be determined as follows:

Apparent Depth

Real Depth

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REFRACTION OF LIGHT

Light rays entering from the at side.

REFRACTION IN A SEMI CIRCULAR BLOCK Light rays entering from the curved side.

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REFRACTION IN TRIANGULAR BLOCK

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SUMMARY OF WAVE BEHAVIOUR

REFLECTION
Wavelength Speed CONSTANT

REFRACTION
Wavelength Speed Direction TOWARDS / AWAY FROM NORMAL
DEPENDS ON OPTICAL DENISTY OF MEDIUM

INCREASE / DECREASE

Angle of Incidence

Angle of Reflection

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