REFRACTION OF LIGHT - CLASS 10 NCERT

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Refraction of light is the bending of light rays as they travel from one medium to another, such as from air to water, due to a change in the speed of light. When light enters a denser medium, it slows down and bends toward an imaginary perpendicular line called the "normal," while it bends away from the normal when entering a less dense (rarer) medium. Common examples of refraction include a bent-looking stick in water, the formation of rainbows, and the operation of lenses in glasses. 

Why does refraction happen?

  • Change in speed:

Light travels at different speeds in different substances (mediums). The speed of light is fastest in a vacuum and slower in denser materials like water or glass. 

  • Change in path:

Because light always tries to take the quickest path, it bends when it hits a new medium at an angle, forcing it to change its direction to maintain the shortest possible travel time. 

Key terms

  • Medium:

Any substance through which light travels, such as air, water, or glass. 

  • Normal:

An imaginary line drawn perpendicular to the surface at the point where the light ray strikes. 

  • Angle of incidence:

The angle at which the light ray strikes the surface between the two mediums. 

  • Refractive index:

A measure of how much a material slows down light, with a higher refractive index indicating a slower speed and more bending of light. 

 

Real-world examples

  • A stick in water appears bent:

A straight stick in a glass of water looks broken at the surface because the light rays from the submerged part of the stick bend as they pass from the water to the air. 



  • Rainbows:

The bending of sunlight through raindrops causes different colors of light to spread out, forming a rainbow. 



  • Mirages:

Atmospheric refraction, or the bending of light by layers of air with different densities, creates the optical illusion of a mirage.


 

  • Glasses and contact lenses:

Lenses are designed to refract light in a specific way to focus it correctly on the retina, helping people see more clearly. 


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NCERT CLASS 10 SCIENCE

Chapter: Refraction Of Light — Class 10 Science (NCERT).

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