refraksionin

Refraksionin is the physical phenomenon in which a wave changes direction as it passes across the boundary between two media with different propagation speeds. It is most commonly discussed in optics, but applies to other waves such as sound and water waves. The effect arises because the speed of a wave depends on the medium, causing the wavefronts to tilt at the interface.

In optics, the degree of refraction is characterized by the refractive index of a medium, n, defined as the ratio of the speed of light in vacuum to the speed of light in the medium. When a light ray moves from one medium into another, its angle changes according to Snell’s law: n1 sin(theta1) = n2 sin(theta2). If light enters a medium with a higher refractive index, it bends toward the normal; if it enters a medium with a lower index, it bends away from the normal. Above a critical angle, total internal reflection can occur.

Refraksionin depends on wavelength, a phenomenon called dispersion. Different colors travel at slightly different speeds, causing white light to separate into a spectrum when it passes through a prism or certain crystals. Common materials have well-known refractive indices: air around 1.0003, water about 1.33, glass roughly 1.5, and diamond around 2.4. The precise values vary with wavelength and temperature.

Applications of refraction are widespread. In optics, refraction underpins lenses for glasses, cameras, microscopes, and telescopes, as well as prisms and fiber-optic communication. In nature, atmospheric refraction affects the apparent position of stars and the visibility of distant objects, while temperature and density gradients can create mirages.

Historically, refraction was investigated by early scientists and is closely associated with the development of Snell’s law in the 17th century. Refraksionin remains a foundational concept across physics, engineering, and everyday observations.