What is refraction of light?
A change in light’s direction as it crosses a boundary between transparent media because its speed changes.
AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy (8464) — Physics — Foundation · 6.6.2.2
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What is refraction of light?
A change in light’s direction as it crosses a boundary between transparent media because its speed changes.
How does a light ray bend when it enters a medium where it travels more slowly or more quickly?
More slowly: towards the normal. More quickly: away from the normal.
What happens to a light ray incident along the normal as it crosses a boundary?
Its speed changes, but its direction does not.
What is the normal to a boundary where a light ray meets it?
An imaginary line perpendicular to the boundary at the point where the ray meets it.
How are the angles of incidence and refraction measured?
The angle of incidence is between the incident ray and the normal; the angle of refraction is between the refracted ray and the normal.
What path does light follow through a uniform transparent medium?
It travels in a straight line.