Refraction — Science definition

Defined in 2 courses:

Where it is taught

In use

When light meets the boundary between two materials at an angle, the change of speed makes it change direction, which is called refraction.

Refraction, Color & Transparent Materials

When light passes from one transparent medium into another, it changes speed, and that speed change bends its path — refraction.

Reflection, Refraction & Optics

Questions using refraction

Problem 1

Which statement correctly uses refraction in Refraction, Color & Transparent Materials?
  1. One illustrative result establishes every real condition and needs no further evidence.
  2. Every ray must bend sideways at every transparent boundary.
  3. An object appears the same color under every possible light source.
  4. refraction: A change in light propagation speed at a medium boundary, commonly with oblique bending.
Answer and explanation

refraction: A change in light propagation speed at a medium boundary, commonly with oblique bending.

A change in light propagation speed at a medium boundary, commonly with oblique bending. The ray bends toward the normal because 22° is less than 35° in this air-to-water model. The card appears dark because the red-only source supplies no blue for it to reflect. These diagrams omit detailed wavelength response, intensity, and actual material variation; they are not universal measurements of every card or liquid.

Problem 2

Which statement correctly uses spectrum in Refraction, Color & Transparent Materials?
  1. spectrum: A range of light components distinguished by wavelength.
  2. Every ray must bend sideways at every transparent boundary.
  3. An object appears the same color under every possible light source.
  4. One illustrative result establishes every real condition and needs no further evidence.
Answer and explanation

spectrum: A range of light components distinguished by wavelength.

A range of light components distinguished by wavelength. The ray bends toward the normal because 22° is less than 35° in this air-to-water model. The card appears dark because the red-only source supplies no blue for it to reflect. These diagrams omit detailed wavelength response, intensity, and actual material variation; they are not universal measurements of every card or liquid.

Problem 3

Which statement is scientifically accurate for Refraction, Color & Transparent Materials?
  1. Every ray must bend sideways at every transparent boundary.
  2. refraction: A change in light propagation speed at a medium boundary, commonly with oblique bending.
  3. An object appears the same color under every possible light source.
  4. Every classroom model reproduces reality exactly.
Answer and explanation

refraction: A change in light propagation speed at a medium boundary, commonly with oblique bending.

A change in light propagation speed at a medium boundary, commonly with oblique bending. The ray bends toward the normal because 22° is less than 35° in this air-to-water model. The card appears dark because the red-only source supplies no blue for it to reflect. These diagrams omit detailed wavelength response, intensity, and actual material variation; they are not universal measurements of every card or liquid.

Problem 4

Light travels at 2 × 10⁸ m/s inside a block of glass. Using c = 3 × 10⁸ m/s, find the glass's index of refraction.
Answer and explanation

1.5

n = c ÷ v = (3 × 10⁸) ÷ (2 × 10⁸) = 1.5.

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