Partielo | Refraction and reflection of light

Definitions

Refraction

Change in direction of propagation of a light ray passing from one medium to another.

Dispersion phenomenon

The dispersion of light is the separation of the different radiations that make up that light.

Reflection

Change in direction of propagation of a light ray reaching the surface separating two propagation mediums and remaining in the first medium.

Snell-Descartes Law

Refraction and Reflection of Light:

°Snell-Descartes Laws for Refraction: The incident ray and the refracted ray are located in the same plane, on either side of the normal, which is also in this plane.

The angles of incidence i1 and refraction i2 satisfy the relationship: n1 x sin i1 = n2 x sin i2

n1: refractive index of the first medium

n2: refractive index of the second medium

This law allows in particular to determine the refractive index of a medium.

°Snell-Descartes Laws for Reflection:

The incident ray and the reflected ray are located in the same plane, on either side of the normal, which is also in this plane. The angles of incidence i1 and reflection ir satisfy the relationship: i1 = ir

The Dispersion of White Light:

°Interpretation of the dispersion phenomenon using a prism: The refractive index of a dispersive medium depends on the wavelength of the radiation passing through it. The application of Snell-Descartes laws for refraction allows interpreting the dispersion phenomenon.