refraction
Wave path deviation
Refraction is the bending of light or other waves as they pass from one medium to another—from air into water, for example, or through a prism.
The change in speed causes the change in direction.
A straw appears bent in a glass of water because of refraction.
The term extends to sound waves and other phenomena that bend when crossing boundaries between different materials.
Light-focusing curved glass
- prismLight-splitting optical element
- lightVisible electromagnetic radiation
- angleGeometric measure of rotation
- indexAlphabetical guide to contents
dispersion · medium · ray · beam · converge · diverge · aberration · wavelength
Refracted light arc
- colorsVisual spectrum variations
- redPrimary color, warm
- orangeCitrus with segments
- yellowHue between green and orange
green · blue · indigo · violet · wavelengths · dispersion · hue · separation
Blurry distance vision
- hyperopiaDifficulty seeing nearby objects
- astigmatismIrregular corneal curvature disorder
- glassesCorrective eyewear or tumblers
- lensesCurved transparent refractors
correction · optometrist · prescription · bifocals · contact lenses · ophthalmology · eye exam · retina
Direction-dependent property variation
- crystalOrdered-atom solid
- polarizationSeparation into opposing extremes
- calciteCrystalline calcium carbonate
- dichroismPolarization-dependent color absorption
lens
Light-focusing curved glass
- prismLight-splitting optical element
- lightVisible electromagnetic radiation
- angleGeometric measure of rotation
index · dispersion · medium · ray · beam · converge · diverge · aberration · wavelength · critical angle
rainbow
Refracted light arc
yellow · green · blue · indigo · violet · wavelengths · dispersion · hue · separation · chromatic
myopia
Blurry distance vision
- hyperopiaDifficulty seeing nearby objects
- astigmatismIrregular corneal curvature disorder
- glassesCorrective eyewear or tumblers
lenses · correction · optometrist · prescription · bifocals · contact lenses · ophthalmology · eye exam · retina · nearsightedness
anisotropy
Direction-dependent property variation
- crystalOrdered-atom solid
- polarizationSeparation into opposing extremes
- calciteCrystalline calcium carbonate
mirage
Atmospheric optical deception
- opticslens, lenses, mirror, mirrors, prism
- Optical Methodsinterferometry, spectroscopy, photometry, refractometry, colorimetry
- visionsharp, eye, visual perception, sight, eyes
- Kids Physicsmagnets, gravity, electricity, force, friction
- Light & Colorhue, shade, tint, brightness, saturation
- physical phenomenadiffusion, collision, friction, explosion, surface tension
refractionreflection
Returned light or thought
absorption · scattering · diffuse reflection · specular reflection · opacity
refractionabsorption
Process of taking in
opacity · blockage · occlusion · attenuation · extinction
- double refractionLight splits into two paths
- light refractionBending of waves through media
- refracting telescopeLens-based astronomical instrument
- refractive errorOptical focusing abnormality