Light refraction

The change in the direction of light

refraction when it crosses a boundary between
two substances/media.
Occurs when the speed of light
changes in different media.

The particles in a medium slow down

the passage of light waves.

Different media slow down light by

different amounts.
medium
The substance or material through which light is
travelling.
Light is electromagnetic radiation within a
certain portion of the electromagnetic
spectrum.

The speed of light in a vacuum is is defined to

be exactly 299,792,458 m/s (approx. 186,282
miles per second) or 3x10 m/s. 8

Light only refracts at the boundary when it is

entering or leaving a medium.

The more that light slows down, the more the

light is refracted.
Refraction in Water

Light rays change direction at the surface of the water.

The image of the fish appears to be more shallow than the actual fish.
Refracted Ray the ray after
crossing a boundary between
media.

Angle of refraction is the angle

between the refracted ray and
normal.
How light refracts

The part of light beam that hits the medium first will slow down first.
The amount of refraction is
different for each color.

A single beam of white light can

be split into a rainbow of colors.

Dispersion is the refraction of

white light into separate
wavelengths.
Index of refraction
Optical density is related to the transparency
of a substance to light.

The higher the optical density of a material,

the slower the light travels through it.

The optical density of a material is indicated

by its index of refraction or refractive index,
the ratio of the speed of light in a vacuum to
that in the material.
Index of refraction
Equation:
c
v n=
Where:
n - is the index of refraction
c – is the speed of light in
vacuum (3x10 m/s)8
v – the speed of light in a
substance
 Index of Refraction of Some Materials for Yellow Light
Material n Material n
Air 1.0003 Glass 1.523
Ice (at 0̊ c) 1.309 Sapphire 1.77
Water 1.33 Zirconium 2.2
Fused Quarts 1.46 Diamond 2.419

A medium is optically denser than another if its

index of refraction is grater than that of the other
medium.
Sample problem
A material has an index refraction of 1.5. What is the
speed of light in this material?
Solution:
c
n=
v
8
c 3x10 m/s. 8
v= = = 2x10 m/s
n 1.5
seatwork
8
Light travels in a transparent material at 2.5x10 m/s.
Find the index of refraction of the material.

A material has an index refraction of 3.2. What is the

speed of light in this material?

8
Light travels in a transparent material at 4.34x10 m/s.
Find the index of refraction of the material.
assignment
Read Proudly Filipino and Science Patrol.

What are the Laws of Refraction?

Answer Practical Exercise 6.2 on N2 (Copy and Answer)

God bless!