answersLogoWhite

0

This is related to the fact that light travels at different speed in the different media. The reason is a bit tricky to understand; it can be explained by applying the Huygens-Fresnel principle, which basically says that EVERY point reached by a wave becomes, itself, an origin of further waves; the wave we observe is simply the superposition of all those waves.

User Avatar

Wiki User

9y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

What are the conditions necessary for refraction?

Refraction occurs when light passes from one medium to another of different optical density. The speed of light must change as it travels from one medium to another at an angle, causing it to bend. The angle of incidence must also be different from the angle of refraction for refraction to occur.


What are the 3 conditions that must be met for refraction to occur?

For refraction to occur, the light must be passing from one medium to another, the angle of incidence must be different between the two mediums, and the speed of light must change as it travels between the two mediums.


Would refraction still occur if light did not change speed when passing from medium to another?

No, refraction occurs because light changes speed when passing from one medium to another. The change in speed causes the light wave to bend, resulting in refraction. If light did not change speed, refraction would not occur.


Does refraction occur only if rays are straight up and down?

No, refraction can occur whenever light rays pass through a medium with a different optical density. The amount of refraction depends on the angle at which the light rays enter the medium, not just if they are straight up and down.


Why does the bending of light occur?

Light bending occurs when it travels through a medium with a different refractive index, causing a change in its speed and direction. This phenomenon is known as refraction and is a result of light changing its velocity when passing from one medium to another.


Why refraction does not occur in opaque medium?

Refraction is the bending of the rays of light when it travels from one medium to another... For refraction to occur there should be some difference in the refractive index of the materials.... Refraction can also occur in Opaque medium........


Does refraction occur when light passes through a piece of glass?

Yes, refraction occurs when light passes through a piece of glass. As light travels from one medium to another, such as from air to glass, it changes speed and bends, resulting in refraction. This bending of light is due to the difference in the optical density of the two mediums.


Why can we have refraction without dispersion but cannot have dispersion without refraction?

Refraction occurs when light travels through a medium with different optical density, causing a change in its speed and direction. This phenomenon can occur without dispersion, which specifically refers to the separation of light into different colors based on their wavelengths. Dispersion cannot occur without refraction because the bending of light during refraction is necessary for different colors to be refracted at different angles, leading to dispersion.


Does refraction occur for both sound and light waves?

Refraction occurs for any waves, where there's a change in the medium.


Does refraction take place in opaque objects?

Refraction is the phenomenon which allows light to pass from one medium into the other. But opaque object will not allow light to pass through. So refraction becomes impossible in case of opaque objects.


Why no refraction occur when media have the same index of refraction?

When two media have the same index of refraction, it means that light travels at the same speed through both media, so there is no change in speed or direction of the light at the boundary between them. This results in no refraction occurring as there is no bending of the light rays.


In which of the following would refraction occur?

Refraction occurs when light passes through a medium with a different density, such as air to water or air to glass.