Refraction Flashcards

All 6 cards in this deck

What is refraction of a wave?

The change in direction of a wave as it crosses a boundary between two materials, caused by a change in its speed.

What causes a wave to refract at a boundary?

A change in the wave's speed in the new material.

Which way does a wave bend when it slows down on entering a new material at an angle?

Towards the normal.

Which way does a wave bend when it speeds up on entering a new material at an angle?

Away from the normal.

What is the normal at a boundary?

A construction line drawn at right angles (90°) to the boundary at the point where the wave meets it.

True or false? A wave travelling along the normal changes direction when it crosses a boundary.

False. Its speed changes but it carries straight on with no change of direction.