Refraction & Snell's Law

Light bends when passing between media of different optical densities, described by Snell's Law relating the angles and indices of refraction.

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Overview

Snell's Law: n₁sinθ₁ = n₂sinθ₂. Light bends TOWARD the normal when entering a denser (higher-index) medium, and AWAY from the normal when entering a less dense medium.

Practice Quiz

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Light travels from air (n=1.0) into glass (n=1.5). How does the light ray bend at the interface?