Question

Explain the phenomenon of refraction of light.

Hint:

When light moves from a denser medium to a rarer one, it bends away from the normal.

Answer 1

Refraction is the bending of light as it passes from one medium to another. This happens because light travels at different speeds in different media. When light enters a medium with a different refractive index, it bends at the interface. The amount of bending depends on the angle of incidence and the refractive indices of the two media. The refractive index \(n\) is given by \(n = \frac{\text{speed of light in vacuum}}{\text{speed of light in the medium}}\).