Reflection and Refraction of Light

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Aug 15, 2021
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- Interference of Light at a Double Slit
- Reflection and Refraction of Light Waves (Explanation by Huygens' Principle)

Walter Fendt
Paul-Klee Gymnasium Gersthofen

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A ray of light coming from the top left strikes the boundary surface of two media. (It is possible to choose the substances in both lists.) The medium which has the bigger index of refraction is painted blue, the other yellow. You can vary the incident ray with pressed mouse button. The app will show the reflected and the refracted ray and calculate the corresponding angles:

Angle of incidence	(black)
Angle of reflection	(blue)
Angle of refraction	(red)

1st index of refraction:

2nd index of refraction:

Angle of incidence: °

Angle of reflection:30.0 °

Angle of refraction:22.1 °

W. Fendt 1997

Remark: The index of refraction varies slightly for different wavelengths. This phenomenon is called dispersion.

Link to the original page: https://www.walter-fendt.de/html5/ph...raction_en.htm

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