Concept 8 of 9Foundation
Watch on YouTubeVideoRefraction — light bending at a boundary
When light passes from one transparent medium (like air) into another (like water or glass), it BENDS. That bending is called refraction.
Why? Light travels SLOWER in denser media. As it crosses the boundary at an angle, one edge of the light beam enters the slower medium first, causing the beam to turn.
Everyday examples:
- A pencil half-dipped in a glass of water appears BROKEN at the surface.
- A coin at the bottom of a bowl looks higher than it really is.
- Pool water seems shallower than it actually is.
- Lenses in glasses and cameras work by controlled refraction.
Example
Dip a straw vertically into water — no visible bend. Tilt it — the part under water appears to shift sideways. That shift is refraction.
💡 Tip:Reflection = bounce. Refraction = bend at a boundary.
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5 questions to check what you just read.
0 / 5
- Q1.Refraction is the bending of light when it:
- Q2.A pencil half in water appears:
- Q3.Light bends because its ___ changes in different media:
- Q4.A coin at the bottom of water appears:
- Q5.Spectacles work using: