3.3.22

Refraction of Light 2

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Refraction of Light

Light is refracted when it travels from one medium to another and changes speed.

Optically dense materials

Optically dense materials

  • If light slows down as it enters a new medium, this medium is “more optically dense”.
  • When light enters a more optically dense medium, light is refracted closer to the normal.
  • This means that the angle of refraction is smaller than the angle of incidence.
Less optically dense materials

Less optically dense materials

  • If light speeds up on entering a new medium, this medium is “less optically dense”.
  • The light is refracted further from the normal - the angle of refraction is larger than the angle of incidence.

Angle of Refraction

The angle of refraction is the angle between the refracted light ray and the normal.

More optically dense material

More optically dense material

When light enters a more optically dense medium, it is refracted closer to the normal and the angle of refraction is smaller.

Less optically dense

Less optically dense

When light travels from one medium to a less optically dense medium, it is refracted further away from the normal and the angle of refraction is larger.

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