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Refraction of light


Refraction is the bending of light that occurs when it crosses a boundary between materials of different optical density (Refractive Index).

The angle of bending can be calculated using a simple formula known as the Snell's law:

$$ n_{1} sin\theta_{1}= n_{2} sin\theta_{2} $$
with n being the refractive indices of the materials, and theta the angle of incidence/refraction of incoming light.

Under certain conditions refraction can be extreme and the light does not cross the boundary, but is reflected backwards: this is Total Internal Reflection.



Refraction Figure V1
Figure description: Schematic representation of the refraction of light as it travels from a medium with a low refractive index (air) to a medium with a higher refractive index (water).