What is refraction? Give its two examples.
When travelling
obliquely from one medium to another, the direction of propagation of
light in the second medium changes. This phenomenon is known as
refraction of light. Refraction of light is accompanied by a change in speed of light at the interface of two optical medium.
The two common examples of refraction are:
- A pencil immersed in a glass of water appears bent at the interface of water and air.
- A coin at the bottom of the vessel filled with water appears slightly raised above its actual position due to refraction of
light.