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Success Criteria
I can explain the Law of Reflection
I understand that refraction occurs due to changes to the speed of light in different materials
I can use Snell's Law to calculate refracted rays, and can also find the critical angle of materials
Fun Fact
In the world of rainbows, refraction plays a crucial role in creating those vibrant colours. When sunlight interacts with raindrops in the atmosphere, the light undergoes both reflection and refraction. The different colours of light are refracted by slightly different angles, separating into the distinct spectrum of colours that we see in a rainbow. So, the next time you spot a rainbow, remember that it's a beautiful display of refraction in action!
Key terms
Wavefront Continuous line or surface that includes all points reached by the wave at the same instant.
Angle of Incidence the angle to the normal of a light ray travelling towards a medium boundary
Angle of Reflection the angle to the normal of a light ray reflected from a medium boundary
Normal an imaginary line that is perpendicular to the surface.
Refraction the change in direction of light due to the speed of light changing as it travels through different mediums.
Refractive Index of a material or medium is equal to the ratio of the speed of light in a vacuum to the speed of light in that medium.
Total Internal Reflection where the angle of incidence is greater than the critical angle.
Learning Tasks
Chapter 3.1 knowledge and understanding p.92 of textbook
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