Refraction Ray Diagrams (AQA GCSE Physics: Combined Science)

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Refraction Ray Diagrams

  • Refraction occurs when light passes a boundary between two different transparent media
  • At the boundary, the rays of light undergo a change in direction
  • The direction is taken as the angle from a hypothetical line called the normal
    • This line is perpendicular to the surface of the boundaries and is usually represented by a straight dashed or dotted line

  • The change in direction depends on which media the light rays pass between:
    • From less dense to more dense (e.g air to glass), light bends towards the normal
    • From more dense to less dense (e.g. glass to air), light bends away from the normal
    • When passing along the normal (perpendicular) the light does not bend at all

Refraction of Light, downloadable IGCSE & GCSE Physics revision notes

How to construct a ray diagram showing the refraction of light as it passes through a rectangular block

  • The change in direction occurs due to the change in speed when travelling in different substances
    • When light passes into a denser substance the rays will slow down, hence they bend towards the normal

  • The only properties that change during refraction are speed and wavelength – the frequency of waves does not change
    • Different frequencies account for different colours of light (red has a low frequency, whilst blue has a high frequency)
    • When light refracts, it does not change colour (think of a pencil in a glass of water), therefore, the frequency does not change

Worked example

The diagram below shows two parallel rays of light entering and passing through prism A and prism C.WE Refraction Ray Diagrams question image, downloadable IGCSE & GCSE Physics revision notesDraw a third parallel ray entering and passing through prism B.

Step 1: Draw a parallel ray on the left

WE Refraction Ray Diagrams Ans 1, downloadable IGCSE & GCSE Physics revision notes

Step 2: Draw the refracted ray at the first surface

WE Refraction Ray Diagrams Ans 2, downloadable IGCSE & GCSE Physics revision notes

    • As the ray enters the block it bends towards the normal since it is going into a denser material
    • In this case, the angle of refraction is smaller than the angle of incidence

Step 3: Draw the refracted ray at the second surface

WE Refraction Ray Diagrams Ans 3, downloadable IGCSE & GCSE Physics revision notes

    • As the ray leaves the block it bends away from the normal
    • In this case, the angle of refraction is larger than the angle of incidence

Examiner Tip

Practice drawing refraction diagrams as much as you can! It's very important to remember which way the light bends when it crosses a boundary:

As the light enters the block it bends towards the normal line

Remember: Enters Towards

When it leaves the block it bends away from the normal line

Remember: Leaves Away

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Katie M

Author: Katie M

Expertise: Physics

Katie has always been passionate about the sciences, and completed a degree in Astrophysics at Sheffield University. She decided that she wanted to inspire other young people, so moved to Bristol to complete a PGCE in Secondary Science. She particularly loves creating fun and absorbing materials to help students achieve their exam potential.