Science Common Sense

1468 - What are the laws of reflection and refraction of light, and how are they explained by wave theory?

Let's break it down in simple terms:

Law of Reflection: When light bounces off a surface, it follows these rules: 1. The angle it hits the surface (incident angle) is equal to the angle it bounces back (reflected angle). 2. The light always stays in the same plane.

Wave Theory Explanation: Imagine water waves hitting a wall. When the water waves hit the wall, they bounce back at the same angle they hit it. This is similar to how light waves behave, bouncing back at the same angle when they hit a surface. The law of reflection is a result of the consistent behavior of waves when they hit a barrier.

Law of Refraction: When light passes through one material to another (like from air into water), it follows these rules: 1. The light changes direction (or bends). 2. If the light passes into a material that allows it to move faster, it bends away from a line (the normal) drawn at the point where it enters the new material. If it passes into a material that makes it move slower, it bends towards the normal.

Wave Theory Explanation: Imagine a marching band moving in a straight line. When they move from a fast surface (asphalt) to a slow surface (mud), their steps get slower and they start to sway or bend. Similarly, when light waves pass from one material to another with a different speed, they bend due to the change in speed. The law of refraction describes this bending of light waves as they move from one material to another.