Refraction of Waves
Refraction is the change in direction of a wave as it passes from one medium to another because its speed changes.
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Refraction is the change in direction of a wave as it passes from one medium to another because its speed changes.
- Light bends towards the normal entering glass
- Frequency stays the same
- Wavelength changes with speed
🧠 Quick quiz
Three questions. Score 2 or more to complete the topic.
What is Refraction of Waves?
Within Physics, which covers forces, energy, waves, electricity, magnetism, light and space explained through motion and experiments, this topic explains Refraction of Waves. Physics topics explain how things move, push, heat up and carry energy, so each one here pairs a definition with a live model you can change.
Check that you can explain Refraction of Waves in your own words and give one example from everyday life. If you can do that, you have understood the core idea.
Understanding Refraction of Waves explains how the physical world behaves, from sport and transport to electricity and medicine.
Refraction of Waves in detail
Refraction is the change in direction of a wave as it passes from one medium to another because its speed changes. When a wave slows down entering a denser medium, it bends toward the normal, and when it speeds up, it bends away. Frequency stays the same, but wavelength changes.
For water waves in a ripple tank, waves entering shallow water slow down and their wavelength shortens. Refraction explains why a straw looks bent in a glass of water and why light passes through lenses. A wave hitting a boundary along the normal is not deviated, though it still changes speed.
How the interactive helps you understand Refraction of Waves
Watch the light rays in the interactive. Use any sliders or buttons it offers to change the values and see how the light rays responds.
Before you change anything, predict the result. Then change one value at a time and check whether your prediction was right. This is a quick way to build a correct mental model of Refraction of Waves.
Real-life uses and examples
- Predict what a ball, car or circuit will do with Refraction of Waves before you do the calculation.
- Explain everyday devices, such as brakes, lifts or chargers, using Refraction of Waves.
- Use Refraction of Waves to make sense of a practical and its results.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Mixing up Refraction of Waves with a related quantity that has different units.
- Forgetting that some quantities, such as force or velocity, also have a direction.
- Learning the definition without testing it. Use the quiz and the interactive to check that you can apply the idea.
Frequently asked questions about Refraction of Waves
What is Refraction of Waves?
Refraction is the change in direction of a wave as it passes from one medium to another because its speed changes.
What are the most important points about Refraction of Waves?
The main points are: Light bends towards the normal entering glass; Frequency stays the same; Wavelength changes with speed.
Why is Refraction of Waves useful?
Understanding Refraction of Waves explains how the physical world behaves, from sport and transport to electricity and medicine.
How can I practise Refraction of Waves?
Open the interactive at the top of this page and change the controls one at a time. Predict the result before each change, then take the three-question quiz. A score of two or more marks the topic as complete on this device.
Which topics are related to Refraction of Waves?
Related topics in Physics include Sound Waves, Light and Reflection, Lenses.