Refraction and Diffraction 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 types of waves can be refracted?

Back

Anything that travels in waves, including light, sound, and heat.

Front

What is diffraction?

Back

Diffraction is the bending of waves around obstacles and the spreading out of waves when they pass through small openings.

Front

In which field is diffraction particularly useful?

Back

Diffraction is particularly useful in Astronomy.

Front

What happens to light when it passes from air into water?

Back

The light beam bends due to a change in speed as it enters a denser medium.

Front

What can be concluded if light bends more when passing from water into glass?

Back

Glass is denser than water.

Front

What causes light to refract?

Back

Light refracts when it changes speed as it moves between different media.

Front

Why does white light create a rainbow when passing through water droplets?

Back

The colors that make up white light refract at different angles, separating the light into a spectrum.

Front

What is the relationship between density and refraction?

Back

Light bends more when it enters a medium with a higher density.

Front

What is the principle of refraction based on?

Back

The principle of refraction is based on Snell's Law, which relates the angles of incidence and refraction to the indices of refraction of the two media.