What is the difference in light that is refracted compared to light that is reflected? Think in terms of speed of light as well as what happens to light waves when they interact with a medium.

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Physics

Cooper Barron

11 February, 05:07

What is the difference in light that is refracted compared to light that is reflected? Think in terms of speed of light as well as what happens to light waves when they interact with a medium.

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Izabelle Copeland · Answer 1

The refracted light wave is bent at an angle while the reflected light wave is bounced back either at 90° or at angle less than 180°.

The refracted light wave changes its speed when it moves from one medium to another based on the density of the medium.

The reflected light does not change its speed once it contacts another medium. It just bounces back with the same speed.