AQA GCSE Building ray diagrams for Refraction(Physics)
Building Ray diagrams for Refraction
Refraction is the change in direction of a wave when it crosses a boundary from one medium into another. As the wave enters the new medium its speed can change, this can cause a change in direction.
Ray of light entering a glass block.
When a ray box shines a beam of light towards a glass block at an angle other than 90 degrees, refraction will occur at the boundary between the air and the glass.
The normal lines will now be drawn on, these occur at 90 degrees to the surface of the block.
Angle of incidence and angle of refraction are added onto the diagram.
Important points to note!
In this case the ray of light was travelling from air (less dense) to glass (more dense).
On the ray travelling from a less dense medium to a more dense medium:
1.Angle of incidence is greater than angle of refraction
2.Ray refracts (bends) towards the normal line
On the ray travelling from a more dense medium (glass) to a less dense medium(air):
1. Ray refracts away from the normal line
Practice Question
1.A ray of light passes from air into water. On entering the water, would the ray of light refract away from or towards the normal line?
2. Mary is looking at a straw which is in a glass of water. The straw appears to be bent. Her teacher says that the bent appearance is due to refraction. Mary wants to know if the light she is seeing refracts towards the normal or away from the normal?
3. Below is an image of a beaker which contains both oil and water. Complete the ray diagram.
Complete the ray diagram above to show the passage of the ray of light through the oil and into the water. You do not need to extend the ray line beyond the bottom of the beaker.
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