Refractive Index

Refractive Index

1. Refraction is the change of direction of light as it passes from one transparent substance into another.

2. Refraction takes place because waves change speed when they cross a boundary. The change in speed of the waves causes a change in speed of the waves causes a change in direction, unless the waves are travelling along a normal.

3. A light ray will refract when it crosses from air into glass. It is refracted towards the normal.

4. The refractive index of substance is a measure of how much the substance can refract a light ray.