Chapter 17 Reflection and Refraction

When light passes from one medium to another it may be reflected, refracted or both.

Chapter 17 Reflection and Refraction

Law of Reflection The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.

Refraction Change in direction (bending of a wave) at the boundary between two media.

Angle of Refraction The angle the refracted ray makes with the normal to the surface

If the ray of refraction is bent toward the normal the medium is more dense. If it is bent away from the normal it is less dense.

Snell’s Law

Critical Angle any angle below critical – refracted any angle at critical – runs along the boundary any angle above critical – totally reflected

Total internal reflection There is no refracted ray

Dispersion Separating white light into ROYGBIV Each color of light has its own wavelength and will have its own refractive index. Because of this when light hits certain surfaces each color will refract at a slightly different angle … rainbow