What is the main cause of refraction of light ?
What is the main cause of refraction of light ?
Light refracts whenever it travels at an angle into a substance with a different refractive index (optical density).
This change of direction is caused by a change in speed. For example, when light travels from air into water, it slows down, causing it to continue to travel at a different angle or direction.
Refraction of light in water
When light travels from air into water, it slows down, causing it to change direction slightly. This change of direction is called refraction. When light enters a more dense substance (higher refractive index), it ‘bends’ more towards the normal line.
The amount of bending depends on two things:
Change in speed – if a substance causes the light to speed up or slow down more, it will refract (bend) more.
Angle of the incident ray – if the light is entering the substance at a greater angle, the amount of refraction will also be more noticeable. On the other hand, if the light is entering the new substance from straight on (at 90° to the surface), the light will still slow down, but it won’t change direction at all.
Light refracts whenever it travels at an angle into a substance with a different refractive index (optical density).
This change of direction is caused by a change in speed. For example, when light travels from air into water, it slows down, causing it to continue to travel at a different angle or direction.
Refraction of light in water
When light travels from air into water, it slows down, causing it to change direction slightly. This change of direction is called refraction. When light enters a more dense substance (higher refractive index), it ‘bends’ more towards the normal line.
The amount of bending depends on two things:
Change in speed – if a substance causes the light to speed up or slow down more, it will refract (bend) more.
Angle of the incident ray – if the light is entering the substance at a greater angle, the amount of refraction will also be more noticeable. On the other hand, if the light is entering the new substance from straight on (at 90° to the surface), the light will still slow down, but it won’t change direction at all.
