Definition of refraction Refraction

re•frac•tion

We found 12 definitions of refraction from 7 different sources.

What does refraction mean?

Noun Plural: refractions
refraction - the change in direction of a propagating wave (light or sound) when passing from one medium to another
		physical phenomenon a natural phenomenon involving the physical properties of matter and energy
refraction - the amount by which a propagating wave is bent
		deflection, deflexion

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refraction (Noun)
The turning or bending of any wave, such as a light or sound wave, when it passes from one medium into another of different optical density.
refraction (Noun)
The degree to which a metal or compound can withstand heat.

refraction (n.)
The act of refracting, or the state of being refracted.
refraction (n.)
The change in the direction of ray of light, heat, or the like, when it enters obliquely a medium of a different density from that through which it has previously moved.
refraction (n.)
The change in the direction of a ray of light, and, consequently, in the apparent position of a heavenly body from which it emanates, arising from its passage through the earth's atmosphere; -- hence distinguished as atmospheric refraction, or astronomical refraction.
refraction (n.)
The correction which is to be deducted from the apparent altitude of a heavenly body on account of atmospheric refraction, in order to obtain the true altitude.

refraction
An inflection of the rays of light: that property of the atmosphere which bends the rays of light in their passage to the eye from a different density, and causes the altitude of heavenly bodies to appear greater than it really is, especially near the horizon. (See TERRESTRIAL REFRACTION.)

Refraction is the change in direction of a wave, caused by the change in the wave's speed. Examples of waves include sound waves and light waves. Refraction is seen most often when a wave passes from a medium to a different medium. Different types of medium include air and water. When a wave passes from one medium to another medium, the wave will change its speed and its direction. For example, when a light wave travels through air and then passes through water, the wave's speed will slow down and it will change direction.

An example of how refraction works is placing a straw in a cup of water, with part of the straw in the water. When looking at a certain angle, the straw appears to bend at the water's surface. This is because of the bending of light rays as they move between the air and the water.

A good and simple way to understand how light works is to think of it like a car. When the car hits the gravel surface (this is the medium) on an angle the tyre that hits it first will lock up causing it to turn in that direction. So if light hits a medium on the right greater than its optical density, it will bend right.