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
- 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
- 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
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
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.
1Biology
1.1Cells, Tissues & Organs
1.2Reproduction & Variation
1.3Ecological Relationships & Classification
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2Chemistry
2.1Particles
2.2Chemical Reactions
2.3Atoms, Elements, Compounds
2.4The Periodic Table
2.5Materials & the Earth
2.6Reactivity
2.7Energetics
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3.2Forces & Motion
3.3Waves
3.4Electricity & Magnetism
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4.1Thinking Scientifically
Jump to other topics
1Biology
1.1Cells, Tissues & Organs
1.2Reproduction & Variation
1.3Ecological Relationships & Classification
1.4Digestion & Nutrition
1.5Plants & Photosynthesis
1.6Biological Systems & Processes
2Chemistry
2.1Particles
2.2Chemical Reactions
2.3Atoms, Elements, Compounds
2.4The Periodic Table
2.5Materials & the Earth
2.6Reactivity
2.7Energetics
3Physics
3.1Energy
3.2Forces & Motion
3.3Waves
3.4Electricity & Magnetism
3.5Matter
4Disciplinary Knowledge
4.1Thinking Scientifically
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