refraktsioonide

Refraction is the phenomenon where light changes direction as it passes from one medium to another. This change in direction occurs because light travels at different speeds in different media. The amount of refraction depends on the indices of refraction of the two media, which are measures of how much light is bent when it enters a new medium.

The index of refraction (n) is defined as the ratio of the speed of light in a vacuum (c) to the speed of light in the medium (v), i.e., n = c/v. When light enters a medium with a higher index of refraction, it slows down and bends towards the normal (an imaginary line perpendicular to the boundary between the two media). Conversely, when light enters a medium with a lower index of refraction, it speeds up and bends away from the normal.

Refraction is responsible for various optical phenomena, such as the bending of a straw in a glass of water, the formation of rainbows, and the focusing of light by lenses. It is also the principle behind optical instruments like microscopes, telescopes, and cameras. Understanding refraction is crucial in fields such as optics, physics, and engineering, as it plays a significant role in the design and functionality of various optical devices.