Refraction and reflection are both phenomena related to the behavior of light when it encounters a boundary between two different materials or media, but they have distinct characteristics:
Refraction occurs when light passes from one transparent medium to another and changes direction due to a change in speed. This change in direction is caused by the bending of light waves as they enter a different medium.
For example, when light travels from air into water, it bends toward the normal (an imaginary line perpendicular to the surface), causing objects seen in water to appear or distort relative to their position real.
Reflection, on the other hand, occurs when light bounces off a surface at the same angle at which it hits it, obeying the law of reflection. This phenomenon occurs on smooth, shiny surfaces like mirrors, where incident light rays bounce back in a predictable manner.
For example, a mirror reflects an image of an object placed in front of it, keeping the angles of incidence and reflection equal.
The difference between refraction and reflection is how light behaves at the interface between two media:
- Refraction involves the bending of light as it passes from one medium to another due to changes in speed, often resulting in a change in direction.
- Reflection involves the bouncing of light when it encounters a smooth, shiny surface, keeping the angle of incidence equal to the angle of reflection.
Reflection and refraction can be illustrated with a common example: imagine looking at a fish swimming in a pond.
When viewing fish above water (transition from air to water), its position appears shifted due to refraction caused by the water surface.
Conversely, if you look at the fish’s reflection on the water surface (reflection), you see its image as it appears on the water surface, keeping the angle of incidence and reflection equal.
When considering the difference between reflection and refraction of a mirror:
- A mirror’s reflection involves the bouncing of light rays in a predictable manner, creating a clear, undistorted image of objects placed in front of it.
- Refraction in a mirror does not occur in the same way as in transparent media like water or glass.
Instead, mirrors typically consist of a reflective backing (such as metal) that does not allow light to pass through, resulting in reflection rather than refraction.
Reflection and refraction, simplified for beginners, involve how light interacts with different materials:
- Reflection is like seeing your reflection in a mirror, where light bounces off a smooth surface and allows you to see yourself or your lenses clearly.
- Refraction is like the way things look distorted when you look at them through water or glass.
Light bends when it enters these materials, making objects shift or different from their actual position. Understanding these concepts helps one understand how light behaves in everyday situations, from looking in a mirror to seeing objects underwater.