1. How does the phenomenon of refraction differ from that of reflection, and what are the key factors that influence the behavior of light in each process?
2. What happens to the Angle of Refraction as the medium becomes denser?
1. The phenomenon of refraction differs from that of reflection in the way light interacts with a medium. Reflection occurs when light hits a surface and bounces off, changing direction but not entering the medium. Refraction occurs when light enters a new medium and changes direction as it passes through. In both cases, the behavior of light is influenced by a few key factors:
- Angle of Incidence: This refers to the angle at which light approaches the surface of a medium. In both refraction and reflection, the angle of incidence determines the angle of reflection or refraction.
- Index of Refraction: Refraction involves the bending of light as it enters a new medium with a different refractive index. The refractive index is a measure of how much a medium slows down the speed of light. The greater the difference in refractive indices between the two media, the greater the bending of light in refraction.
- Surface Shape/Curvature: The shape or curvature of the surface also affects the behavior of light in both refraction and reflection. A flat surface tends to produce predictable angles, while a curved surface can cause light to diverge or converge.
2. As the medium becomes denser, the angle of refraction generally increases. This is known as the principle of refraction. The degree of increase depends on the refractive indices of the initial and final mediums. When light travels from a less dense medium (lower refractive index) to a denser medium (higher refractive index), it slows down and bends towards the normal (a line perpendicular to the interface between the mediums). As a result, the angle of refraction becomes smaller than the angle of incidence.