Refraction

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Refraction - Waves Change Speed and Direction...

The speed of a wave is determined by the density of the substance or medium it's travelling in.

So when a wave cfrosses a boundary between two substances (e.g. glass to air), it changes speed.

Since Wave Speed = Frequency x Wavelength and the frequency is fixed for each type of wave, then is the speed changes, the wavelength must also change. E.g. if speed decreases, the wavelength must decrease.

Refraction (http://dev.physicslab.org/img/5723483d-5785-470e-a5ca-4bca364130ba.gif) 

Remeber:

  • If light hits the medium straight on, it will slow but will carry on in the same direction.
  • But if the wave meets a new medioum at an angle, part of this wave hits the boundary first and slows…

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