REFRACTION OF LIGHT

Refraction of light is the changing of direction of light rays as they pass from one medium
toanotherof different optical density.

Refraction is due to the change in speed of light between two media of different optical densities,
for example when light travels from air to glass, water to glass, glass to air or glass to water, it
undergoes refraction because these media have different optical densities.

Refraction is the change in the velocity of light when it moves from one medium to another of
different optical density.

Air is less optically denser than glass

This implies that light is travelling from less optically denser medium (air) to more optically denser
medium (glass). The refracted ray of light bends towards the normal implying that the angle of
incidence in air is greater than angle of refraction in glass

If the ray of light is incident in a more optically denser medium to a less optically denser
medium, it bends away from the normal such that angle of incidence in a more optically denser
medium is less an the angle of refraction in the less optically denser medium.

If for a ray of light, the angle of incidence in a medium say A is less than the angle of refraction
in the other medium say B, then it means A is more optically denser than B so light is travelling
from a more optically denser medium A to a lessoptically denser medium B.
Causes of refraction of light
Refraction of light is caused by the difference in speed of light as light moves from one medium
to another of different optical density.

The different in speed of light in different media is due to different in densities of the media.

Laws of refraction
1. The incident ray, the refracted ray and the normal at the point of incidence all lie in the
same plane
2. The second law which is also called Snell’s law states that the ratio of the sine of angle
of incidence to the sine of angle of refraction is a constant for two given media.
𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝐢
I.e.𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝐫 is a constant of two given media.
Where i is the angle of incidence in first medium, r is the angle of refraction in the
second medium of light.
𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝐢
The constant of𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝐫 is called the refractive index of the medium where light is refracted
with respect to the medium where light is incident.

𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝐢
= refractive index of Y with respect to X. This is written as x∩y
𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝐫

Definition: Refractive index is the constant of the ratio of sine of angle of incidence to the sine
of angle refraction for any two given media. Refractive index has no units.

If the first medium is a vacuum or air, then it becomes the refractive index of the second medium
and this is called absolute refractive index.

Absolute refractive index of a medium is the constant of ratio of sin i to Sin r of the medium
where i is angle of incidence in air or vacuum and r is angle of refraction in the medium.

The refractive index of air or vacuum ∩a = 1

𝟒
The refractive index of water ∩w=1.33 or𝟑
𝟑
The refractive index of glass ∩g= 1.5 or 𝟐

Note: Absolute refractive index is also referred to as refractive index of medium

Refractive index of glass is1.5 means that the constant of the ratio of sine of angle of incidence
in air or vacuum to the sine of angle refraction in glass is 1.5.

For calculations involving sine, cosine, or tan, they should be trancated to 3 decimals.

Refractive index can also be in terms of velocities or speeds.

𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐯𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐮𝐦 𝐚𝐢𝐫 (𝐜)

Absolute refractive index = 𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐮𝐦 (𝐯)

Commonly velocity of light in vacuum or air is 3x10 8 ms-1

Example I
Calculate angle r in the figure below. (Refractive indesx of glass = 1.5)

∩x
=
1.
4
Solution ∩y
Angle of incidence = 90- 50 == 400
1.5
From Snell’s law
𝑆𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑖
= constant
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑟

sin 400
Sine r = = 0.428
1.5
r = 250

Experiment to determine the refractive index of the material of glass

a) Fix a glass block on a plane sheet of paper on soft board.
b) Trace outline PQRS
c) Draw a normal at O
d) Draw a line AO making an angle I = 100 with the normal at O
e) Fix pins P1 and P2 vertically along AO and replace a glass block
f) From side RS fix pins P3 and P4 so as to appear to be in line with the images of pins of P1 and P2.
g) Remove P3 and P4 and draw a line to join holes of P3 and P4 to the block at B
h) Join B to O and measure angle r.
i) Repeat d) to h) for values of i = 25, 30, 35, and 400.
j) Tabulate results including values of sine I and sine r.

i (0 ) Sin i r(0) Sin r

k) Plot the graph sine I and sine r.

l) The slope of the graph is equal to refractive index of glass.

Results of some typical experiement are shown below
i(0) Sin i r(0) Sin r 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝐢
𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝐫
10 0.174 6.7 0.117 1.49
20 0.342 13 0.228 1.50
30 0.500 10 0.334 1.50
40 0.643 25 0.429 1.50
50 0.766 31 0.509 1.50
60 0.866 35 0.576 1.50

Plot a graph of sin iagainst sin r

Find the slope

Real and apparent depth

When a ray of light travels from a more optically denser medium to a less optically dense medium,
it bends away from the normal

However when a ray of light travels from a less optically dense medium to a more optically dense
medium, it bends towards the normal.

Considering an object O at the bottom of a glass block, from top the object is observed at I

𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑙 𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑡ℎ
Refractive index = 𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑡ℎ

Example 2
A pin placed at the bottom of a liquid appears to be at depth of 6cm when viewed from above.
Find the refractive index of the liquid of depth 8cm.
Apparent depth = 6cm
Real depth = 8cm.
𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙 𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑡ℎ
Refractive index = 𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑡ℎ
 8𝑐𝑚
= 6𝑐𝑚
≅ 1.33

Example 3
A glass block of thickness 3cm is placed on a pin. To an observe viewing above, the pin is raised
by 1cm. find the refractive index of glass block.
Real depth = 3cm
Apparent depth = 3-1 = 2

𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑙 𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑡ℎ
∩ = 𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑡ℎ
3
= 1.5
2

Application of apparent and real depth due to refraction of light

1. A stick or ruler appears bend when placed in water due to refraction.

Light rays from the bottom of the stick are refracted away from the normal as they pass from water
which is more optically denser to air which is less optically denser and the rays appear to be coming
from Image point B

2. A swimming pool appear shallow

If pint O is considered to be the bottom of the pool. Light rays from this point are refracted away
from the normal as they pass through from water which is more optically dense to air which is less
optically dense. So point O which is the bottom will be seen raised to point I as these retracted rays
enter the eye.

Principles of reversibility of light

The path of light can be reversible for rays passing through any optical system

By principle of reversibility of light, the refractive index of the ray passing from glass to air
sin 𝑖
From air to glass ang = sin 𝑟 ;
sin 𝑟
From glass to air gna = sin 𝑖

nsin i = constant

Critical angle
Is an angle of incidence in a more optically denser medium for which the angle of refraction is 90 0
in a less optically dense medium.

Or:
Critical angle is an angle of incidence for which the angle of refraction is 90 0 for a ray of light
moving from a more optically dense medium to a less optically dense medium.

Conditions for critical angle to occur

1. The angle of refraction is 900 in a less optically denser medium
2. The ray of light should be from a more optically denser medium to a less optically denser
medium
Calculations involving critical angle, c
sin 90
From air to glass ang = ;
sin 𝑐

1
Sin c =
𝑎 𝑛𝑔

For each of the following give in refractive index, calculate the critical angle
(a) glass ∩g = 1.62
(b) Water ∩w = 1.32
(c) Oil ∩0 = 1.2

Critical angle
(a) Glass
1
Sin c = 1.62; c = 38.10
(b) For water
1
Sin c 1.32 ; c = 49.30
(c) For oil
1
Sin c = 1.2; c = 56.40

Total internal reflection

Occurs when the angle of incidence in a more optically dense medium is greater than the critical
angle
Or.
Total internal reflection occurs when the angle of incidence is greater than the critical angle for a
ray of light travelling from a more optically dense medium to a less optically dense medium.

Conditions for total internal reflection to occur

- The angle of incidence in a denser medium must be greater than the critical angle
- The ray of light should be travelling from a more optically denser medium to a less
optically denser medium.
Application of total internal reflection
Light pipes

Light can be trapped by a total internal reflection inside a bent glass tube. If several a thousands
rays are trapped together. Light pipe is obtained that can be used to light up some awarkward spots
for inspection.

Mirages
Is what is observed as a poot of water on a tarmac road at some distance a head on a hot day.
Explanation of formation of mirage

Refractive indices of air layers

Cooler air is more optically dense than warmer air, so warmer air has a low refractive index than
cooler air.

A ray light from the cool sky undergoes total internal reflection form warm air at the surface of
hot tamacked road forming an image that appears like a pool of water to the observer
Excercise
1. A ray of light travelling from a dense to a denser medium is
A. Refracted towards normal
B. Refracted away from normal
C. Always reflected back to the same medium
D. Always transmitted without being refrated.
2. Light travelling in air is incident on a medium at an angle of 600. Find the refractive index, if the
angle of refraction is 300.
A. 0.50
B. 0.58
C. 1.73
D. 2.0
3. In which one of the following diagrams is I equal to critical angle?

4. The phenomenon upon which the optical fibre works is

A. Visible light
B. Reflection of light
C. Diffraction of light
D. Total internal reflection
5. A ray of light travelling from air to water is refracted at an angle of 300. Find the angle of
incidence if the critical angle of water is 48.60.
A. 22.10
B. 40.60
C. 41.70
D. 600
6. Solution
1
Refractive index of water ( ) =1.33
sin 48.60
Let the angle of incidence be i
 sin 𝑖
1.33 = sin 300
i = 41.70
6. A mirage is formed as a result of
(i) Refraction
(ii) Reflection
(iii) Diffraction
A. (i), (ii), and (iii)
B. (ii) and (iii) only
C. (i) and (iii) only
D. (i) and (ii) only

7. (a) What is meant by refraction of light

It is the bending of light as it moves from one medium to another of different optical densities.
(b) State the laws of refraction of light.
Law 1: the incident ray, the refracted ray and the normal at the point of incidence all lie in the
same plane
Law 2: the ration of the sine of angle of incidence to the sine of angle of refraction is constant
for a given pair of media

(c)

In the diagram above an object O is placed at the bottom of clear pond. Draw rays diagram to
show how it appears to an observer at E.

Solution
 A ray OP from the bottom O of the pond normal to surface is not refracted.
A ray OQ is refracted away from normal and appears to be coming from O1,

The refractive index of glass is 1.62. Calculate critical angle

Solution
1 1
Sin c = 𝑛 = 1.62
𝑔
Critical angle, c = 38.10

8. With the aid of a diagram why a pond appears shallower than it actually is.

A ray OP from the bottom O of the pond normal to surface is not refracted.
A ray OQ is refracted away from normal and appears to be coming from O1,

9. (a) Explain the causes of refraction of light.

Refraction is the change in the direction of light energy when it passes from one medium to
another because of change in refractive index due to change in speed of light,

(b) Describe an experiment you would use to measure the refractive index of glass using a glass
block.
Solution
Experiment to determine the refractive index of the material of glass

a) Fix a glass block on a plane sheet of paper on soft board.

b) Trace outline PQRS
c) Draw a normal at O
d) Draw a line AO making an angle I = 100 with the normal at O
e) Fix pins P1 and P2 vertically along AO and replace a glass block
f) From side RS fix pins P3 and P4 so as to appear to be in line with the images of pins of P1 and P2.
g) Remove P3 and P4 and draw a line to join holes of P3 and P4 to the block at B
h) Join B to O and measure angle r.
i) Repeat d) to h) for values of i = 25, 30, 35, and 400.
j) Tabulate results including values of sine I and sine r.

i (0 ) Sin i r(0) Sin r

k) Plot the graph sine I and sine r.

l) The slope of the graph is equal to refractive index of glass.

(c) (i) state the conditions for total internal reflection to occur.
- Angle of incidence must be greater than critical angle
- A ray of light must be moving from a more optically dense medium to less optically
dense medium
(ii) State one application of total internal reflection
- Formation of mirage
- Transmission of light in optical fiber
- Transmission of radio waves
- Reflection of light in prisms

(iii) Calculate the critical angle for an air glass interface if refractive index of glass is 1.5.
Solution
1
From n = sin 𝑐
1
1.5 = sin 𝑐
Critical angle, c = 41.80

10. (a) State two conditions for total internal reflection (2marks)
- Angle of incidence must be greater than critical angle
- A ray of light must be moving from a more optically dense medium to less optically
dense medium

(b) Draw a diagram to show how a fish in water attains a wide field of view. (2marks)

11. The figure below shows a ray of light incident on a semicircular glass block of center C.
 (a) Why is the ray not deviated
Because the ray is normal to the surface of curve surface of glass and passes through the
center of curvature.
(b) Calculate the value of angle θ if the refractive index of glass is 1.53
sin 𝑖
From n = sin 𝑟
1 sin 35
1.53
= sin 𝑟
; r = 60.70

12. Sketch a ray diagram to show refraction of light makes a pond to appear shallower than actually
is

13. Figure 5 shows light travelling from glass to air

Find the refractive index of glass (3 marks)

Solution
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑖 sin 90 1
Refractive index n = sin 𝑟 = = 0.743 = 1.35
sin 48

14. (a) What is meant by refractive index of a medium?

It is the ratio of the sine of the angle of incidence in air to the sine of angle of refraction in the
medium.
Or
It a ratio of speed of light in vacuum to the speed of light in a medium.
 (b) A ray of light travelling from glass to air is refracted along the boundary OX as shown in the
figure below.

If the refractive index of glass is 1.52, find angle C

Solution
sin 90
1.52 =
sin 𝐶
C = 41.130
(C) State two applications of total internal refraction
- transmission of radio waves
- formation of mirage
- use of prisms in periscopes
- optical fibre
15. (a) What is meant by critical angle?
This is the angle of incidence in more optically dense medium when the angle of refraction in a
less optically dense medium is 900.

(b) (i) If the refractive index of water is 4/3. Calculate the critical angle for water
Solution
4 sin 90
3
= sin 𝐶
C = 48.60
(ii) State applications of total internal reflection.
- transmission of radio waves
- formation of mirage
- use of prisms in periscopes
- optical fibre

16. (a)(i) What is meant by refractive index of a given medium?

Refractive index is the ratio of sine of angle of incidence in air to the sine of angle of refraction
in that medium
(ii) Define critical angle.
Critical angle is the angle of incidence in the optically dense medium for which the angle
of refraction in less optically dense medium is 900.
(iii) State the conditions for total internal reflection to occur
- The angle of incidence in a more optically dense medium must be greater than critical
angle
 - Light must be moving from a more optically dense medium to a less optically dense
medium

(b) Figure 2 shows rays of light incident on semicircular glass block. Ray SP is refracted
along PQ.

Explain
(i) Why rays RP and SP are not refracted at the points of incidence on the glass block.
Rays RP and SP are incident normally on glass block.
(ii) With aid of a diagram what happens to ray RP

RP undergoes total internal reflection because angle I is greater than critical angle

(iii) With the aid of a labelled diagram, explain why a pond with clear water appears shallower
than actually is

A ray OP from the bottom O of the pond normal to surface is not refracted.
A ray OQ is refracted away from normal and appears to be coming from O1,
(iv) Calculate the critical angle for a glass of refractive index 1.50.
From
nsin i = constant
1.5 sin c = 1sin 90
Critical angle c = 41.80