Light can go from one medium into another medium {refraction}|.
reflection
Some light enters second medium, and some light reflects from surface. For greater refraction-index difference, reflection is greater, because electric fields interact more.
refraction
As wavefront hits surface between media, surface re-radiates light waves, and wavelets add, to make new wavefront in second material.
planar
Incident light and refracted light have same plane, because light travels straight and so has no transverse motion component.
speed
If second medium has different refractive index, incident light and refracted light have different speeds.
frequency
Light frequency stays the same in both materials, because electromagnetic induction does not use medium.
wavelength
Because velocity changes and frequency stays constant, wavelength changes, and incident light and refracted light have different angles to perpendicular. If second medium has higher refractive index, light bends toward perpendicular, because wavelength becomes shorter. If second medium has lower refractive index, light bends away from perpendicular, because wavelength becomes longer.
examples
Glass with different refractive indices appears warped. Refraction from air to water causes coins in fish tanks to appear in different positions than they actually are. Prisms, water glasses, and camera lenses use refraction.
Physical Sciences>Physics>Wave>Superposition>Refraction
5-Physics-Wave-Superposition-Refraction
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Date Modified: 2022.0224