Refractive Index |
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Light travels through homogeneous media in a straight line. At the boundary between two media (ie., air and glass) some light is reflected and some is transmitted. The quantity reflected versus transmitted is a function of the angle of incident (incoming) light and the nature of the media. Light penetrating the second medium is partially absorbed and partially passes through to a second boundary where again reflection and transmission occur. Light crossing a boundary at any angle other than perpendicular to the boundary will change direction if the speed of the light wave in the two media differ. This change of direction is called refraction.
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