Physics P1 5.4 Wave properties: refraction.

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What is refraction of light?
Refraction of light is the change of direction of a light ray when it crosses a boundary between two transparent substances.
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Why do waves change speed?
Waves change speed when the cross a boundary between different substances.
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What happens to wavelength when the wave crosses a boundary?
The wavelength of the wave changes but the frequency stays the same.
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In what kind of waves does refraction occur?
Refraction is a property of all waves, including light and sound.
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What happens when a light ray crosses a boundary?
A light ray refracts when it crosses a boundary between two substances such as air and glass, or air and water.
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What causes the wave to change in direction?
The change in speed of the waves.
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What happens when light enters a more dense substance?
When light enters a more dense substance, such as going from air to glass it slows down and the ray changes direction towards the normal.
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What happens when light enters a less dense substance?
When light enters a less dense substance, such as going from glass to air, it speeds up and the ray changes direction away from the normal.
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What happen if the wave is travelling along a normal?
If the wave is travelling along a normal then it will not change direction.
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What happens when a ray of white light is shone onto a triangular glass prism, why and what is it called?
Different colours of light have different wavelengths and are refracted by slightly different amounts, therefore a spectrum is produced - this is called dispersion.
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What colour light is refracted the most?
Violet.
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What colour light is refracted the least?
Red.
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Why does refraction take place?
Because waves change speed when they cross a boundary.
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Why does light split up into different colours when it passes through a triangular prism?
Because different wavelengths of light are refracted by different amounts.
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**DO NOT CONFUSE REFLECTION AND REFRACTION**
**A RAY OF LIGHT TRAVELLING ALONG A NORMAL IS NOT REFRACTED**
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**LOOK UP DIAGRAM OF REFRACTION OF LIGHT**
**
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Why do waves change speed?

Back

Waves change speed when the cross a boundary between different substances.

Card 3

Front

What happens to wavelength when the wave crosses a boundary?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

In what kind of waves does refraction occur?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What happens when a light ray crosses a boundary?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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