Reflection and Refraction Overview of Waves, Part 2 Reflection and Refraction

Wave Theory of Christian Huygens (1629-1695): Each point on a wavefront acts like a source of point waves… The constructive and destructive interference of these waves continually recreates the wavefront as it moves at the wave speed LINK

Angle of incidence = Angle of reflection Law of Reflection Angle of incidence = Angle of reflection

Snell’s Law of Refraction q2 q1

Critical Angle When light passes from a material with a higher n into a material with a lower n, it refracts away from the normal line At a critical angle (based on the two materials), the refracted light will be bent right along the surface

Effects of Refraction http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/geoopt/refr2.html

Total Internal Reflection If light traveling from a higher n material toward a lower n material strikes the surface at an angle greater than the critical angle, total internal reflection results

Examples of Total Internal Reflection