Optics - AS
LEVEL
Physics 5
, Refraction
Is when a wave changes speed when it crosses a new medium. If a medium is more optically dense
the wave will slow down and bend towards the normal θi > θr. Of the medium is less optically dense
the wave will speed up and bend away from the normal. Θi < θr
The refractive index represents how optically dense a medium is.
The absolute refractive index is calculated by n = C/C1
The relative refractive index at the boundary between 2 materials is the ratio of speed of light between
the 2 material 1n2 = c1/c2
Snells law states that n1sinθ = n2sinθ
This can be used to find the critical angle
LEVEL
Physics 5
, Refraction
Is when a wave changes speed when it crosses a new medium. If a medium is more optically dense
the wave will slow down and bend towards the normal θi > θr. Of the medium is less optically dense
the wave will speed up and bend away from the normal. Θi < θr
The refractive index represents how optically dense a medium is.
The absolute refractive index is calculated by n = C/C1
The relative refractive index at the boundary between 2 materials is the ratio of speed of light between
the 2 material 1n2 = c1/c2
Snells law states that n1sinθ = n2sinθ
This can be used to find the critical angle