Changes

'''Refraction''' is the change in direction of [[light]] when moving from one medium to another. Refraction produces [[rainbow]]s and a similar effect in a [[prism]]. It is also the principle used in [[eyeglasses]] and the refracting [[telescope]].  The degree to which a medium refracts light is expressed as that medium's [[index of refraction]].

'''Refraction''' is the change in direction of [[light]] when moving from one medium to another. This phenomenon is exploited to make lenses, from those used in [[eyeglasses]], microscopes and refracting [[telescopes]].   

 

The degree to which a medium refracts light is expressed as that medium's [[index of refraction]]. For most materials, the index of refraction changes gradually with the wavelength (color) of the light. Because of this wavelength dependence, a glass prism will separate the components of white light according to their wavelengths, creating the colors of the [[rainbow]].  Rainbows are the result of the wavelength-dependence of water's refractive index.  

The amount that the direction changes when moving between the two media is determined by [[Snell's Law]].

The amount that the direction changes when moving between the two media is determined by [[Snell's Law]].

[[category:physics]]

[[category:physics]]