Refraction and Wave Boundaries | GCSE Physics
Refraction is the change in direction of a wave when it crosses a boundary between two densities.
Does light bend towards or away from the normal when entering glass?
What is Refraction and Wave Boundaries | GCSE Physics?
"The change in direction of a wave passing from one medium to another caused by its change in speed."
Which of these is an example of a longitudinal wave?
If an object absorbs more radiation than it emits, its temperature will ____.
Arrange these EM waves in order of INCREASING energy: Radio, Visible, UV, Gamma.
The distance between the same point on two adjacent waves is called the ____.
Boundary Behavior
Wavelength and speed change during refraction, but frequency stays constant.
Entering a denser medium (e.g. Air to Glass) slows the wave down.
Waves bend TOWARDS the normal when slowing down.
The amount of bending depends on the angle and the refractive index.
Visual Guide: Think of a car hitting sand at an angle; the wheel that hits first slows down, pulling the car into a turn.
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