refract

Everyday

1. (science) To refract light is to bend it as it passes from one material into another, such as from air into water or glass. tree →
2. Sound and other waves can also refract when they change speed. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons on light, refraction explains why a straw looks bent in a glass of water, why a swimming pool looks shallower than it is, how lenses in glasses and magnifying glasses work, and how a prism or raindrops refract and split white light into a rainbow. Safety: pools are deeper than they look because of refraction.

Examples

• Water refracts light, so the straw looks bent. tree →
• A prism refracts white light into a rainbow of colours. tree →
• Glasses lenses refract light to help people see clearly. tree →
• Raindrops refract and reflect sunlight to make rainbows. tree →
• The pool looks shallow because water refracts the light. tree →
• Light refracts when it goes from air into glass. tree →
• Draw how the light ray refracts at the surface. tree →

Note

Do not confuse refract (bend light passing through) with reflect (bounce light back, as a mirror does). Noun: refraction. The light changes direction because it changes speed.