Understanding of Refraction of Light

Refraction of Light

Refraction is the bending of a wave when it enters a medium where it's speed is different. The refraction of light when it passes from fast medium to a slow medium bends the light ray toward the normal to the boundary between the two medium. The amount of bending depends on the indices of refraction of the two medium is described quantitatively by Snell's Law

Remember that angles of incidence and refraction are measured from the normal, which is an imaginary line perpendicular to the surface.



Definition: Snell’s Law
n₁sin θ₁ = n₂ sin θ₂
where
n₁ = Refractive index of material 1(Air)
n₂ = Refractive index of material 2(Water or Glass)
θ₁ = Angle of incidence
θ₂ = Angle of refraction

light going from air into water or glass

light going from water or glass into air

angle of incidence of 0 degrees, no bending occur

Phenomenon of Refraction of Light

Light Pillar

Fire Rainbow

Fire Rainbow

upside-down rainbow