Q1
What is refraction?
ABending of light between different media
BLight travelling in a straight line always
CReflection of light
DAbsorption of light
ICSEClass 10 (ICSE)PhysicsCh 4 · Topic 1
Refraction of Light at Plane Surfaces
Refraction is the bending of light as it passes between different media, following specific laws related to angle of incidence and refractio
Core concept
Refraction occurs because light travels at different speeds in different media, bending towards or away from the normal depending on density.
How it works
Snell's law states that the ratio of sine of angle of incidence to sine of angle of refraction is constant (refractive index) for a given pair of media.
Why it matters
The refractive index of a medium indicates how much light bends and how much slower light travels compared to a vacuum.
Key detail
Total internal reflection occurs when light travels from a denser to rarer medium at an angle greater than the critical angle, useful in optical fibres.
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Quick notes
• Refraction: bending of light between media.
• Caused by different light speeds in each medium.
• Snell's law: sin(i)/sin(r) = constant (refractive index).
• Refractive index shows bending amount and speed change.
• Total internal reflection: denser to rarer medium.
• Occurs beyond the critical angle.
• Used in optical fibres.
• Practice builds refraction concept understanding.