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When light enters a different medium, the amount that the light is bent as it enters the medium is determined by the medium's index of refraction.

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Does refraction occur for both sound and light waves?

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


Light and sound waves have many similar properties however light waves are what while sound waves are what?

Light waves are eletromagnetic waves and sound waves are mechanical waves. Additionally, a light wave is a transverse wave that does not require a medium through which to travel. Sound waves, on the other hand, are longitudinal waves where the source transfers the mechanical energy of the sound wave into the medium so it can travel.


When light is transmitted it can be refracted polarized or?

When light is transmitted, it can be refracted, polarized, or absorbed depending on the medium it is passing through. Refraction occurs when light changes speed as it moves from one medium to another, causing it to change direction. Polarization refers to the orientation of the light waves in relation to the direction of propagation.


Light waves differ fundamentally from either water waves or sound waves because?

light waves do not require a medium to travel through, unlike water and sound waves which both need a medium (water and air, respectively). Light waves are electromagnetic in nature and can travel through a vacuum. They have different wave properties such as wavelength, frequency, and speed compared to water and sound waves.


Differences between light and sound waves?

The differences between light and sound are as follows:Light can be considered to be made of waves as well as particles. Sound is only a wave. It does not show particle nature.Light waves are electromagnetic waves while sound waves are mechanical waves.Light waves are transverse while sound waves are longitudinal.Light waves can travel in vacuum. Sound waves require a material medium to travel, and hence, cannot travel in vacuum.The speed of light in a medium is constant. The velocity of sound waves can change.In sound waves, the particles of the medium actually oscillate. In a light wave, the electric and magnetic vectors oscillate.Light waves can be polarized, but sound waves cannot.Light waves travel much faster than sound waves. The speed of light is a physical constant. Its value is exactly 299,792,458 metres per second in vacuuum. The speed of sound is 343 metres per second in dry air at 20°C.And finally, a simple one - you can see light while you can hear sound.

Related Questions

What refers to the bending of light waves when they pass through another substance?

Refraction is the bending of light waves when they pass through another substance. This phenomenon occurs due to a change in the speed of light as it travels from one medium to another, causing the light waves to change direction.


When light way pass from a medium to another they are?

When light waves pass from one medium to another, they may be refracted, reflected, or both. Refraction occurs when the speed of light changes as it enters a new medium, causing the light to bend. Reflection occurs when the light waves bounce off the surface of the new medium.


What process occurs when all of the energy from light waves is transferred to a medium?

When all of the energy from light waves is transferred to a medium, it is absorbed by the medium. This absorption can result in the medium heating up, causing a temperature increase. The energy of the light waves is converted into thermal energy within the medium.


Why do waves change direction as they enter or leave a lens?

Waves change direction as they enter or leave a lens due to refraction, which is the bending of light as it passes through a medium with a different optical density. This bending occurs because light waves travel at different speeds in different mediums, causing them to change direction at the interface.


What causes light waves to bend when they enter a new medium at angle?

Light waves bend when they enter a new medium at an angle due to a change in speed caused by the change in the medium's refractive index. This change in speed results in a change in the direction of the light wave, a phenomenon known as refraction.


Why do light waves slow down when they enter a new medium?

Light waves slow down when they enter a new medium because they interact with the atoms or molecules in the medium, causing them to be absorbed and re-emitted. This process delays the wave propagation, resulting in a decrease in speed.


What do we call when light waves bend as they pass from one medium to another?

This is called refraction. It occurs when light waves change speed as they move from one medium to another, causing them to bend.


Are light waves transverse waves?

Yes, light waves are transverse, because in light wave, disturbance of the medium occurs at right angles to the direction of wave propagation of wave.


What waves occurs when the motion of the medium is parallel to the direction of the waves?

amplitude Longitudinal waves occurs when the motion of the medium. This is parallel to the direction of the wave.


BENDING of light rays when they enter it diffirent medium is known as?

Refraction is the bending of light waves as they pass from one medium to another.


Is medium required to transmit light waves?

No. light waves required no medium for transmission.


When light waves slow down do they change direction?

When light waves slow down as they travel from one medium to another, such as from air to glass, they do change direction. This change in direction is called refraction and occurs due to the change in speed of the light waves in the new medium.