Liliana Luna Refraction of Light Third Period

Weve all been taught the twinkle twinkle little star song. Well, what if I told you that the stars dont twinkle? Thats right, the stars we see at night dont actually twinkle, and its all because of physics. Before I answer the question as to why stars dont twinkle, I am going to fill your brain with some knowledge you should know to understand the phenomenon. What is refraction of light? Refraction of light is the bending of light at an angle as it travels from one medium into another. The meeting place of two different media is called the interface. All refraction of light and reflection occurs at the interface. Light travels in straight lines until it encounters another material where it is partially reflected and partially transmitted. The angle of the ray when transmitted through the material changes and depends on the speed of light in the two materials. Light refracts at a boundary because of a change in speed. There is a distinct cause-effect relationship. The change in speed is the cause and the change in direction, or the refraction, is the effect. Now, the direction of light as it passes from one medium to another is associated with a change in velocity and wavelength. Since the speed of light changes at the interface, the wavelength of the light changes too. The wavelength decreases as the light enters the medium and the light wave changes direction. If a ray of light passes across the boundary from a material in which it travels fast into a material in which travels slower, then the light ray will bend towards the normal line. If a ray of light passes across the boundary from a material in which it travels slow into a material in which travels faster, then the light ray will bend away from the normal line.

Now that you have understood the basics of refraction of light, some everyday life examples will be provided to help you better know how refraction works in real life. Back to the stars that dont twinkle. The rays of light that are coming from a star travel through different layers of air varying densities. The rays are being continuously refracted and bend towards the normal. The movement of air and convection currents cause a change in the density of the layers in the air. As a result, the position of the image of the star goes on on changing after every short interval. The different positions of the images formed at short intervals of time give the impression that the star is twinkling. Another good example of refraction of light is when you fishing. When you view a fish that is in clear water at an angle, the image of the fish appears to be ahead of its actual position. So if you were to aim at the head of the image of the fish, then the spear will hit in front of the actual fish. However, if you aim your spear at the tail of the image, then you most likely hit the head of the actual fish. Refraction of light occurs around you. From rainbows, to mirage, to the road looking wet, to the stars twinkling. Keep in mind that refraction occurs because the speed of light changes when the light enters a different medium. The direction of the light can either bend toward or away from the normal line. After familiarizing yourself with the subject of refraction of light, things that happen around you start to make sense. All it takes is knowledge in physics, time, and interest.

Refraction and Sight. (n.d.). Refraction and Sight. Retrieved October 28, 2013, from http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/refrn/u14l1b.cfm

The Direction of Bending. (n.d.). The Direction of Bending. Retrieved October 28, 2013, from http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/refrn/U14L1e.cfm

Changing the Speed of Light. (n.d.). Optics For Kids. Retrieved October 28, 2013, from http://www.optics4kids.org/home/teachersparents/articles/the-refraction-of-light/

Refraction Of Light. (2010, May 6).YouTube. Retrieved November 4, 2013, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kc2o73FyN3I