Refraction Flashcards
1
Q
What does the refractive index measure?
A
It’s a quantitative measure for the optical density of a medium.
And is a measure of how much a material slows light down and therefore changes its direction.
The higher the density, the slower light travels through that medium. (Glass and water)
2
Q
What is refraction?
A
The change in direction of light as it travels from one medium to another, due to the different speeds of light in each medium.
3
Q
What is the critical angle?
A
The smallest angle of incidence for which total internal reflection occurs.
