8.

4
REFRACTION OF LIGHT
 REFRACTION OF LIGHT
The bending of light rays when they move
through two mediums of different densities
 REFRACTION OF LIGHT
Speed of light changes when passing from
one medium to another

Air (gas)

Speed of light
Water (liquid)
decreases

Glass block (solid)

When moving from a less dense medium to a denser
medium

The speed of light decreases

The light ray refracted towards the normal

When moving from a less dense medium to a denser
medium

The light ray refracted towards the normal

The angle of refraction, r is smaller than

the angle of incidence, i

Angle r < i
 When moving from a denser medium to a
less dense medium

The speed of light increases

The light ray refracted away from the normal

 When moving from a denser medium to a
less dense medium

The light ray refracted away from the normal

The angle of refraction, r is bigger than the

angle of incidence, i

Angle r > i
The light ray isnot refracted when the
incident ray is parallel to the normal

NO refraction!!!
To determine the relationship between
the angle ofincidence, i and
the angle of refraction, r

Mark the path of the light

into and out of the block
i

Find:
o The angle of
r incidence, i
i
o The angle of
refraction, r
r
Draw and label the refracted ray from each of the
different incident rays shown..

Incident ray

Air

Water

Refracted ray
Draw and label the refracted ray from each of the
different incident rays shown..
Incident ray

Glass

Air

Refracted ray
Draw and label the refracted ray from each of the
different incident rays shown..
Incident ray

Air

Glass

Refracted ray
Application of refraction of
light

A magnifying glass refracts light

to enlarge its image
Application of refraction of light
A swimming pool
looks shallower than
its actual depth
Application of refraction of light

A star appears to be higher in the sky

than its actual position