Scribd
Upload
69 views2 pages

Understanding Light Refraction Basics

The document discusses refraction of light and how its speed and wavelength change when passing from one medium to another. Specifically, it discusses how light refracts as it passes from air into glass or other materials like water, slowing down but maintaining the same frequency. It also notes that non-swimmers should be wary of diving into pools, even if they think they can see the bottom, due to refraction effects. Finally, it asks questions about representing data on the speed of light in various materials graphically and which materials most and least refract light.

Uploaded by

Nicolas.rm08 from CHI Student
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
69 views2 pages

Understanding Light Refraction Basics

The document discusses refraction of light and how its speed and wavelength change when passing from one medium to another. Specifically, it discusses how light refracts as it passes from air into glass or other materials like water, slowing down but maintaining the same frequency. It also notes that non-swimmers should be wary of diving into pools, even if they think they can see the bottom, due to refraction effects. Finally, it asks questions about representing data on the speed of light in various materials graphically and which materials most and least refract light.

Uploaded by

Nicolas.rm08 from CHI Student
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Refraction

1 The diagram shows what happens when light waves travel from air into glass.

Their wavelength and speed change; their frequency is unaffected.

a Does their wavelength increase or decrease?

(1)
b Does their speed increase or decrease?

(1)

2 Explain why non-swimmers should be wary of diving into a pool of water even if
they think they can see the bottom?

(2)

3 Copy the diagram and sketch the path of the light as it is refracted through the
transparent block. Label the diagram fully.

(4)
4 Explain what refraction is and how it occurs.

(3)
Material Speed of light
air 300 000 km/s
water 225 000 km/s
diamond 124 000 km/s
perspex 201 000 km/s
glass 197 000 km/s

5 i) a) What type of graph would you choose to represent this data?

(1)
b) Which material slows the speed of light the most?

(1)

ii) When a ray of light goes from air into one of the other materials in the table:
a which material refracts light rays the most?

(1)
b which material refracts light rays the least?

(1)

Score ……………………./15

You might also like