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Refraction does not occur when light enters a medium at a 90-degree angle because the change in velocity between the two mediums is perpendicular to the surface, so there is no change in direction. The light simply continues in a straight line without bending.

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1y ago

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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.


What has to be different to allow refraction to occur?

Refraction occurs when light passes between materials of different optical densities, causing a change in its speed and direction. The change in speed must be coupled with a change in direction to enable refraction to occur.


If angle of incidence equals critical angle what is angle of refraction?

If the angle of incidence equals the critical angle, the angle of refraction would be 90 degrees. This occurs when light travels from a denser medium to a less dense medium and undergoes total internal reflection.


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.


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.

Related Questions

Will dispersion occur if a polychromatic ray of light enters a prism at an angle of incidence of 90 degree from air to denser medium?

Dispersion will occur, in the sense that the phase velocity of the different wavelengths will be different. What you may be asking is whether refraction (a change in the direction of the light) will occur. Refraction will only be visible if the light impacts at an oblique angle, not 90 degrees.


For refraction to occur in a wave the wave must?

For refraction to occur in a wave, the wave must enter a new medium at an angle.


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 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........


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.


What has to be different to allow refraction to occur?

Refraction occurs when light passes between materials of different optical densities, causing a change in its speed and direction. The change in speed must be coupled with a change in direction to enable refraction to occur.


What is the incidence angle at which the angle of refraction is 90 degrees called?

A right angle.


Does refraction occur for both sound and light waves?

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


If angle of incidence equals critical angle what is angle of refraction?

If the angle of incidence equals the critical angle, the angle of refraction would be 90 degrees. This occurs when light travels from a denser medium to a less dense medium and undergoes total internal reflection.


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.


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.


How does refraction occur in water?

It is because of the change in velocity of light in two different media.