REFRACTION Meaning and
Definition
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Refraction is a phenomenon in physics that occurs when light passes through a transparent medium, such as air, water, or glass, and bends or changes direction due to the change in speed it experiences when crossing from one medium to another. It is a result of the difference in refractive indices between the two media.
When light waves transition from a medium with a lower refractive index to one with a higher refractive index, it typically slows down and bends towards the normal line, i.e., the line perpendicular to the interface. Conversely, when light waves move from a medium with a higher refractive index to one with a lower refractive index, they usually speed up and bend away from the normal line.
The extent of bending or deviation depends on various factors, including the angle at which the light strikes the interface, the refractive indices of the respective media, and the wavelength of the light. This phenomenon is responsible for various practical applications, such as the functioning of lenses in optical instruments, the creation of rainbows, and the apparent bending of a straw in a glass of water.
Refraction is a fundamental concept in optics, which studies the behavior of light. It allows for the analysis and understanding of various optical phenomena and plays a critical role in fields such as photography, eye vision, and the design of lenses and optical devices.
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1. The deflection of a ray of light when it passes from one medium into another of different density; in passing from a denser into a rarer medium it is deflected away from a line perpendicular to the surface of the refracting medium, in passing from a rarer to a denser medium it is bent toward this perpendicular line. 2. The act of determining the nature and degree of the refractive errors in the eye and correction of the same by glasses.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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The bending of a ray of light towards the perpendicular when it passes into a denser medium, as from air into water, and from the perpendicular when it passes into a rarer medium, as from water into air; in mech., the incurvation or change of determination in the body moved; in astron., the apparent angular elevation of celestial bodies above their true places, caused by the refracting power of the atmosphere; double refraction, the refraction of light in two directions, and consequent production of two distinct images.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
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Etymology of REFRACTION
The word "refraction" can be traced back to the Latin word "refractio" which means "a breaking up" or "a bending back". It is derived from the verb "refractus", which is the past participle of "refrangere", meaning "to break up" or "to bend back". The Latin term itself is a combination of the prefix "re-" (meaning "back" or "again") and the verb "frangere" (meaning "to break"). Thus, the etymology of "refraction" implies the concept of the bending or breaking up of light as it passes through a medium, resulting in a change in its direction.
Similar spelling words for REFRACTION
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