Refraction of Light: Understand Physics Behind Bending Light

In summary, the slowing and bending of light inside a transparent material is caused by the interaction between photons and the material. This is due to absorption and re-emission, which slows down the overall process while the light is still moving at the maximum speed of light. The exact properties that allow this to happen and the underlying physics behind it involve quantum mechanics. A recommended resource for understanding this is the book QED by Richard Feynman.
  • #1
Spastik_Relativity
47
0
Hi

I have a good understanding of the refraction of light and the reason it occurs etc. but what is confusing me is the exact reason for the "slowing" and hence bending of light inside a transparent material.

What are the exact properties that allow a transparent material to slow a beam of light?

What does the slowing of a light beam attribute to the bending of a light beam?

And Could some one please explain or refer me to a site that does explain the physics behind the refraction of light.
 
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  • #2
Last time someone asked this question, three people simultaneously recommended that the person read QED by Richard Feynman.

Light "slows down" when it travels through transparent media because the photons must interact with the material as it travels through it. It is the interaction (absorption and re emission) that slows down the overall process. While the light is actually moving, it is traveling at the maximum speed of light.

Explaining "why" light changes direction while intering a new medium involves quantum physics.
 
  • #3


Thank you for your inquiry. The phenomenon of refraction occurs when light travels through a medium with a different optical density, causing it to change direction. This change in direction is due to the change in speed of light as it enters a different medium. The exact properties that allow a transparent material to slow down light are its density and the refractive index, which is a measure of how much the speed of light changes when passing through the material. The denser the material, the slower the speed of light and the higher the refractive index.

The slowing of light is directly related to the bending of light. As light enters a medium with a higher refractive index, it slows down and bends towards the normal line (an imaginary line perpendicular to the surface of the medium). This is known as positive refraction. On the other hand, when light enters a medium with a lower refractive index, it speeds up and bends away from the normal line, known as negative refraction.

The physics behind the refraction of light can be explained by Snell's law, which states that the ratio of the sine of the angle of incidence to the sine of the angle of refraction is equal to the ratio of the refractive indices of the two media. This law helps us understand the relationship between the incident angle, the refractive indices, and the resulting angle of refraction in a transparent medium.

I would recommend checking out websites such as Khan Academy or Physics Classroom for more detailed explanations and visual demonstrations of the physics behind the refraction of light. I hope this helps clarify any confusion you may have.
 

1. What is refraction of light?

Refraction of light is the phenomenon where light changes direction as it passes through different mediums, such as air, water, or glass. This is due to the change in speed of light as it travels through these mediums.

2. How does refraction of light occur?

Refraction of light occurs when light travels from one medium to another with a different density or optical density. The change in density causes the light to bend or change direction.

3. What is the law of refraction?

The law of refraction, also known as Snell's law, states that the ratio of the sine of the angle of incidence to the sine of the angle of refraction is equal to the ratio of the velocities of light in the two mediums.

4. What factors affect the amount of refraction?

The amount of refraction depends on the angle of incidence, the difference in density between the two mediums, and the wavelength of light. The greater the angle of incidence or difference in density, the greater the amount of refraction will be.

5. How is refraction of light used in everyday life?

Refraction of light is used in various everyday applications, such as glasses and contact lenses for vision correction, cameras and lenses for photography, and prisms for splitting light into its component colors. It is also used in optics and telecommunications industries for the transmission of light through optical fibers.

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