State smells law of refraction

Answer 1

The law of refraction, also known as Snell's Law, describes how light or any other wave changes direction when it passes from one medium into another with a different refractive index. The law is mathematically expressed as:

\[ n_1 \sin(\theta_1) = n_2 \sin(\theta_2) \]

Where:
- \( n_1 \) and \( n_2 \) are the refractive indices of the two media.
- \( \theta_1 \) is the angle of incidence, which is the angle between the incident ray and the normal (a line perpendicular to the surface) at the point of incidence.
- \( \theta_2 \) is the angle of refraction, which is the angle between the refracted ray and the normal at the point of refraction.

According to this law:
- When light passes from a medium with a lower refractive index (e.g., air) to a medium with a higher refractive index (e.g., water), it bends towards the normal.
- Conversely, when light passes from a medium with a higher refractive index to one with a lower refractive index, it bends away from the normal.

Snell's Law is fundamental in understanding how lenses, prisms, and other optical devices work.