Refraction - AP Physics 2

Frequency remains constant; speed changes. Energy conservation requires frequency to remain constant.

The image can be magnified or minimized. Refraction at curved surfaces creates optical magnification effects.

A mirage is caused by refraction of light in varying air densities. Temperature gradients create layers with different refractive indices.

$n = \frac{3\times10^8}{2\times10^8} = 1.5$. Direct calculation using $n = \frac{c}{v}$.

Apparent depth is less than actual depth due to refraction. Light bends away from normal when exiting water.

$n = \frac{c}{v}$. Defines refractive index as ratio of speeds.

This phenomenon is called atmospheric refraction. Light bends through varying atmospheric density layers.

$v = \frac{c}{1.33}$. Light speed equals vacuum speed divided by refractive index.

Higher frequency light refracts more than lower frequency. Higher frequency means higher energy and greater refraction.

Refractive index decreases with increasing temperature. Higher temperature decreases gas density, reducing $n$.

The separation of light into colors by refraction. Different wavelengths refract by different amounts.

Violet light refracts the most. Violet has highest frequency and refracts most.

Red light refracts the least. Red has lowest frequency and refracts least.

The index of refraction is dimensionless. It's a ratio of speeds, so no units.

Refraction is the bending of light as it passes from one medium to another. Light changes direction when moving between media with different optical densities.

$v = \frac{c}{n}$. Relates medium speed to vacuum speed through refractive index.

Increasing wavelength decreases the angle of refraction. Longer wavelengths have lower refractive indices.

$\theta_2 = \text{sin}^{-1}(\frac{\text{sin}(45^\text{o})}{1.33})$. Light bends toward normal when entering denser medium.

Light will follow the same path if its direction is reversed. Light paths are reversible due to symmetry of physics.

$\theta_2 = \text{sin}^{-1}(1.5 \times \text{sin}(45^\text{o}))$. Light exits glass into air, bending away from normal.

Light bends away from the normal. Lower optical density causes light to bend away from the normal.

Wavelength decreases. Frequency stays constant, so $\lambda = \frac{v}{f}$ decreases as $v$ decreases.

The refractive index of a vacuum is 1. Vacuum is the reference medium with $n = 1$.

Dispersion occurs, separating light into colors. Different colors refract at different angles through prism.

The object appears bent or displaced at the surface. Light bends at the interface, creating optical illusion.

The pool appears shallower due to refraction. Refraction makes objects appear closer to surface.

The light exits parallel to its original path. Parallel entry and exit with lateral displacement only.

Higher refractive index means higher optical density. Higher $n$ means light travels slower in that medium.

$n_1 \times \text{sin}(\theta_1) = n_2 \times \text{sin}(\theta_2)$. Relates incident and refracted angles through refractive indices.