Refraction Flashcard

Front

What is refraction?

Back

Refraction is the bending of light as it passes from one medium to another due to a change in its speed.

Front

What is the normal line in the context of refraction?

Back

The normal line is an imaginary line perpendicular to the surface at the point of incidence where light enters a new medium.

Front

What happens to light when it enters a denser medium?

Back

When light enters a denser medium, it slows down and bends toward the normal.

Front

What happens to light when it enters a less dense medium?

Back

When light enters a less dense medium, it speeds up and bends away from the normal.

Front

What is optical density?

Back

Optical density is a measure of how much a medium can slow down light compared to a vacuum.

Front

What is the formula for calculating the angle of refraction?

Back

The formula is Snell's Law: n1 * sin(θ1) = n2 * sin(θ2), where n is the refractive index and θ is the angle.

Front

What is the refractive index of water?

Back

The refractive index of water is approximately 1.33.

Front

What is an optical illusion?

Back

An optical illusion is a visual phenomenon where the perception of an object differs from its physical reality.

Front

What is the significance of a rainbow in terms of light refraction?

Back

A rainbow is formed when light is refracted, reflected, and dispersed in water droplets, creating a spectrum of colors.

Front

What is the relationship between the speed of light and the refractive index?

Back

The speed of light decreases as the refractive index of a medium increases.