Refraction

What is Refraction? Light travels at 300 million m/s or 3.0 X 108 m/s in a vacuum (i.e. space) When light passes from air into a transparent substance that is more dense, such as water, glass, diamond etc., the light slows down slightly. Because it slows down the light rays will change direction, this is called refraction. The more dense the substance, the more the light is slowed and the more it is refracted.

Refraction Refraction Demonstration reflected ray i r R incident ray air water R refracted ray Refraction Demonstration Low - High = towards normal High --> Low = away from normal

Rules for Refraction When measuring the angles of the refracted light rays, the normal is used as the reference point. When light passes into a more optically dense substance and slows, the ray will bend towards the normal. When light passes into a less optically dense substance it speeds up and the ray will bend away from the normal

Refraction – Mirage in a Desert

Examples of Refraction Atmospheric refraction. Flattening of the sun at sun set. Examples of Refraction

Examples of Refraction New naval architecture or a mirage

Refraction - A levitating iceberg.