![]() ![]() Depending on the relative refractive index, the refracted light ray may make an angle greater than or less than that of incident light ray. If a light ray goes from medium1 to medium2, the angle of incidence lies in the medium1 and the angle of refraction lies in the medium2 and vice versa for interchanging of the mediums.īoth of the angles are made with the normal at the interface of mediums. Location of Angle of Incidence and Angle of Refraction relative to the interface More the difference between refractive indices, more the difference between angles. But the angle of refraction is defined by the refractive indices of the media. The angle of incidence can be varied manually since it is independent of the medium. The stream of particles hit the interface making a certain angle with the normal, then sink into the other medium essentially making a different angle with the normal. Picture a light ray as a stream of photons. The difference between incident and refracted ray depends on the fact whether the light ray comes to the interface or leaves the interface. If we simply reverse the direction of the light ray by considering the present end as the start and the present start as the end, the light ray will trace the same path.įormation of Angle of Incidence and Angle of Refraction Keep in mind the property of the reversibility of light. This constant is called the refractive index of the second medium relative to the first medium. Sine of the angle of incidence(i) to that of the angle of refraction(r) at the interface remains in constant relation.Incident ray, refracted ray and the normal at the interface lie in the same plane.Let us first have a glance at laws of refraction. Angles can be measured by any unit, but here, degrees are used. ![]() Definition of Angle of Incidence and Angle of RefractionĪngle of incidence is the angle between the normal at the interface and incident ray.Īngle of refraction is defined as the angle between the normal at the interface and refracted ray. This article is particularly focused in light rays, for the sake of simplicity. The change of velocity at a boundary of a medium causes a wave to refract. A wave can have different velocities for different mediums. The key difference between the angle of incidence and angle of refraction is the sequential order of the two angles, made at a media interface by a wave. ![]() Key Difference – Angle of Incidence vs Angle of Refraction ![]()
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