Refraction Physics Refraction The bending of light as

Refraction Physics

Refraction �The bending of light as it enters a new medium. �Is bent either towards or away from the normal line. �Light will be bent as it enters AND as it exits the medium

Calculation of Each Angle �Snell’s Law n 1 sinθ 1 = n 2 sinθ 2 �“n” is the index of refraction and is calculated using the speed of light in a vacuum compared to the speed of light in that object �The slower light is in the object the larger “n” will be.

Refraction Happens Again… θ 2’ θ 1 ’ θ 2 θ 1

Relationship between the angles… �In any refraction �θ 1’ = θ 2 �θ 2’ = θ 1 �If n 1 < n 2 (the object has a larger n 2) �θ 1 < θ 2 �Bent towards the normal as it enters �If n 1 > n 2 (the object has a smaller n 2) �θ 1 > θ 2 �Bent away from the normal as it enters

Example Problem #1 �A light ray hits a piece of quartz (n = 1. 54) from air (n = 1. 0003). The ray hits with an angle of 45°, what angle does the ray leave the glass with? θ 2’ θ 1 ’ θ 2 θ 1

Example Problem #2 �A light beam hits a piece of glass (n = 1. 52) after traveling through air (n = 1. 0003). It hits at an angle of 30°. What is the angle of the refracted beam? n 1 sinθ 1 = n 2 sinθ 2 n 1 = 1. 0003 n 2 = 1. 52 θ 1 = 30 θ 2 = ? 1. 0003 sin(30) = 1. 52 sinθ 1. 0003 *-0. 988 = 1. 52 sinθ θ 1 θ 2 -0. 988 = 1. 52 sinθ -0. 988/1. 52 = sinθ -0. 65 = sinθ sin-1 (-0. 65) = θ

Example Problem #3 �Determine the values for all angles, both entering and leaving, the object for problem 2.