Refraction Flashcards

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What is refraction?

The change in direction of a wave when it enters a new material because its speed changes.

What is a boundary in refraction?

The surface between two materials where the wave passes from one to the other.

What is the normal in a ray diagram?

A line at right angles (90 degrees) to the boundary, drawn at the point where the ray hits.

How are the angles of incidence and refraction measured?

Both angles are measured from the normal to the ray, not from the surface.

What happens to light going from air into glass?

It slows down and bends towards the normal. Its wavelength gets shorter; its frequency stays the same.

What happens to light going from glass into air?

It speeds up and bends away from the normal. Its wavelength gets longer; its frequency stays the same.

Does a ray change direction if it enters along the normal?

No. It carries on straight. Only the speed changes.

What happens to frequency when a wave changes material?

The frequency stays the same. The speed and wavelength can change.

What happens to wavelength when a wave slows down in a material?

It gets shorter. The speed is lower but the frequency stays the same.

How can a ripple tank show refraction?

Send waves from deep to shallow water. They slow down and bend towards the normal at the boundary.

Revision Notes
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