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Refraction occurs because the wave changes speed as it enters a new medium, causing its direction to change. This change in speed is due to the wave interacting with the different properties of the new medium, such as density or refractive index.

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1y ago

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Will a light wave refract if it enters a new medium perpendicular to the surface Explain?

No, a light wave will not refract if it enters a new medium perpendicular to the surface. This is because refraction occurs when light enters a new medium at an angle, causing it to change speed and direction. When light enters perpendicular to the surface, there is no change in speed or direction, so refraction does not occur.


Why does refraction not occur at 90?

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.


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.


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 are the conditions for total internal reflection to take place?

Light must travel from the optically denser medium to the optically less dense one. For total internal reflection to occur, the angle of incidence in the optically denser medium must be greater than the critical angle of that medium. The critical angle is that angle of incidence in the optically denser medium for which the angle of refraction is 90o.

Related Questions

Will a light wave refract if it enters a new medium perpendicular to the surface Explain?

No, a light wave will not refract if it enters a new medium perpendicular to the surface. This is because refraction occurs when light enters a new medium at an angle, causing it to change speed and direction. When light enters perpendicular to the surface, there is no change in speed or direction, so refraction does not occur.


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.


Why does refraction not occur at 90?

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.


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.


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.


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........


What are the conditions for total internal reflection to take place?

Light must travel from the optically denser medium to the optically less dense one. For total internal reflection to occur, the angle of incidence in the optically denser medium must be greater than the critical angle of that medium. The critical angle is that angle of incidence in the optically denser medium for which the angle of refraction is 90o.


What is the definition of critical angle?

The definition of critical angle is the angle of incidence that refraction can still occur.


What series compressions and refraction forms this wave?

The wave described may be produced by a series of compressions and rarefactions in a medium such as air or water. When the wave encounters a boundary between two different media, refraction may occur, causing the wave to change direction as it enters the new medium.


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.