Chapter 16.4: Refraction, Lenses, and Prisms PEPS Mr. Taylor Rainier Jr/Sr High School

Refraction of Light Refraction is when waves bend when passing from one medium to another. This is because the wave travels at different speeds in the 2 media.

Refraction of Light If the speed of the wave is faster in the new medium, the wave will bend away from the normal. If the speed of the wave is slower in the new medium, the wave will bend toward the normal.

Lenses Lenses use light refraction to change the direction of light. Convex lenses bend light inward. Are called converging lenses. Concave lenses bend light outward Are called diverging lenses.

Lenses Converging lenses can magnify objects. Magnifying lenses have a focal point where all the light rays converge on a single point. Microscopes and binoculars use converging lenses to magnify the objects.

Eyes The eye has a lens that focuses light on your retina The retina has rods (for black & white vision) and cones (for color vision). The cornea also refracts light and is responsible for 70% of the focus of the eye.

Prisms Prisms can separate light into different bands because of the different speeds of light through the medium. This separation is called dispersion. Rainbows are the result of dispersion of light through raindrops. Sunsets are the result of dispersion of sunlight through the atmosphere.