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Example \(\PageIndex{1}\): Speed of Light in Matter. Calculate the speed of light in zircon, a material used in jewelry to imitate diamond. Strategy: The speed of light in a material, \(v\), can be calculated from the index of refraction \(n\) of the material using the equation \(n = c/v\). Solution
Red light has a longer wavelength than violet light. The refractive index for red light in glass is slightly different than for violet light. Violet light slows down even more than red light, so it is refracted at a slightly greater angle. The refractive index of red light in glass is 1.513. The refractive index of violet light is 1.532.
Since the light ray is passing from a medium in which it travels slow (more optically dense) to a medium in which it travels fast (less optically dense), it will bend away from the normal line; this is the SFA principle of refraction. The above diagram shows the behavior of two incident rays approaching parallel to the principal axis.
Laser light is shown passing into and out of a hemi-cylindrical dish filled with water. The light enters the water (at the curved side of the dish) along the normal line; no bending occurs upon entry. The light continues through the water along a straight line until it reaches the boundary with air (at the flat side of the dish).
Apr 10, 2022 · Yet the total amount of light available can’t change once the light has left the bulb. This means that, as the same expanding shell of light covers a larger and larger area, there must be less and less of it in any given place. Light (and all other electromagnetic radiation) gets weaker and weaker as it gets farther from its source.
The Bending Light simulation allows you to show light refracting as it crosses the boundaries between various media (download animation first to view). It also shows the reflected ray. You can move the protractor to the point where the light meets the boundary and measure the angle of incidence, the angle of refraction, and the angle of reflection.
People also ask
Why does a light ray bend towards a normal line?
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Why do light rays refract away from a normal line?
How does bending affect refraction?
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Why does light travel in a straight line?
The diagram at the right shows a God's-eye view of the light path from the submerged portion of the pencil to each of your two eyes. Only the left and right extremities (edges) of the pencil are considered. The blue lines depict the path of light to your right eye and the red lines depict the path of light to your left eye.
