- #1
Hepic
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When light goes from air to water,it change direction. Thas is because phtons interact with atoms of water. But what happened and they change direction??(refraction)
When light goes from air to water,it change direction.
In summary, when light travels from air to water, it changes direction due to a phenomenon called refraction. This occurs because photons interact with atoms of water, causing the light to bend. However, to understand refraction in terms of photons, one must forget preconceived notions about them and refer to Feynman's "QED" for a more accurate explanation.
- #2
Nugatory
Mentor
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Refraction is a wave phenomenon - it's easiest to understand by analyzing the behavior of an electromagnetic wave passing through the boundary between the air and the water.
To understand refraction in terms of photons, the first step is to forget everything you think you know about photons
and get rid of the picture implied by your question: photons aren't like little bullets moving through space, and when a beam of light changes direction by reflection or refraction, it's not because a whole bunch of photons changed direction. Once you've forgotten everything you think you know about photons, you're ready to learn how they really behave, and for that I highly recommend Feynman's "QED: The strange theory of light and matter".
To understand refraction in terms of photons, the first step is to forget everything you think you know about photons
and get rid of the picture implied by your question: photons aren't like little bullets moving through space, and when a beam of light changes direction by reflection or refraction, it's not because a whole bunch of photons changed direction. Once you've forgotten everything you think you know about photons, you're ready to learn how they really behave, and for that I highly recommend Feynman's "QED: The strange theory of light and matter".1. How does light change direction when it goes from air to water?
When light travels from air to water, it undergoes a process known as refraction. This means that the light bends as it enters the water, causing it to change direction.
2. Why does light change direction when it enters water?
This change in direction is due to the difference in density between air and water. The speed of light is slower in water than in air, so when it enters the water, it bends towards the normal line (an imaginary line perpendicular to the surface of the water).
3. Does all light change direction when it enters water?
Yes, all light changes direction when it enters water, unless it is entering at a 90 degree angle to the water's surface. In this case, the light will not bend and will continue to travel in a straight line.
4. How does the angle of incidence affect the change in direction of light?
The angle of incidence, which is the angle at which the light enters the water, affects the amount of refraction that occurs. The greater the angle of incidence, the more the light will bend as it enters the water.
5. What other factors can affect the change in direction of light when it enters water?
The refractive index of the water and the wavelength of the light can also affect the amount of refraction that occurs. Different materials have different refractive indexes, which is a measure of how much light bends when passing through them. Shorter wavelengths of light, such as blue light, will also bend more than longer wavelengths, such as red light.
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