Light Refraction

Study Notes

Refraction is the bending of light as it passes from one medium to another with a different optical density.
It occurs because light travels at different speeds in different mediums.
The amount of bending depends on the angle of incidence, the angle of refraction, and the refractive indices of the two mediums.
Snell's Law describes the relationship between the angles of incidence and refraction: n1 sin(θ1) = n2 sin(θ2) where n1 and n2 are the refractive indices of the two mediums, and θ1 and θ2 are the angles of incidence and refraction, respectively.

Total internal reflection occurs when light hits a medium with a lower refractive index at an angle greater than the critical angle.
The critical angle is the angle of incidence above which total internal reflection occurs.
Total internal reflection is used in optical fibers to transmit data over long distances.

Reflection is the change in direction of light when it hits a surface and bounces back.
There are two types of reflection:
- Specular reflection: Light is reflected at the same angle as the angle of incidence, creating a mirror-like effect.
- Diffuse reflection: Light is scattered in different directions, creating a soft, non-mirror-like effect.

The law of reflection states that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.
The normal to the surface is the line perpendicular to the surface at the point of incidence.
The incident ray, reflected ray, and normal all lie in the same plane.

Mirrors work by reflecting light using specular reflection.
There are two types of mirrors:
- Plane mirrors: Flat mirrors that produce a virtual image.
- Spherical mirrors: Curved mirrors that can produce either a real or virtual image, depending on the object's position.

Refraction occurs when light passes from one medium to another with a different optical density, causing it to bend.
Light travels at different speeds in different mediums, resulting in refraction.
The amount of bending depends on the angle of incidence, the angle of refraction, and the refractive indices of the two mediums.
Snell's Law describes the relationship between the angles of incidence and refraction: n1 sin(θ1) = n2 sin(θ2).

Total internal reflection occurs when light hits a medium with a lower refractive index at an angle greater than the critical angle.
The critical angle is the angle of incidence above which total internal reflection occurs.
Total internal reflection is used in optical fibers to transmit data over long distances.

Reflection is the change in direction of light when it hits a surface and bounces back.
There are two types of reflection: specular reflection and diffuse reflection.
Specular reflection occurs when light is reflected at the same angle as the angle of incidence, creating a mirror-like effect.
Diffuse reflection occurs when light is scattered in different directions, creating a soft, non-mirror-like effect.

The law of reflection states that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.
The normal to the surface is the line perpendicular to the surface at the point of incidence.
The incident ray, reflected ray, and normal all lie in the same plane.

Mirrors work by reflecting light using specular reflection.
There are two types of mirrors: plane mirrors and spherical mirrors.
Plane mirrors produce a virtual image.
Spherical mirrors can produce either a real or virtual image, depending on the object's position.