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GCSE Combined Science · key term
A change in the direction of a wave as it passes between substances because its speed changes. There is no change in direction when it crosses along the normal.
Used by AQA and Edexcel
Specification 6.6.2.2 · Paper 6
The change in direction of a wave caused by a change in its speed when it passes between different media.
Revise: Electromagnetic Wave Properties and RefractionA transmitted wave may also undergo refraction: a change in direction caused by a change in wave speed.
Paper 5, Paper 6
The change in a wave's speed as it crosses a boundary between media, which causes a change in direction unless it travels along the normal.
Revise: Refraction and wavelength-dependent interactionsWhen a wave crosses a boundary into a medium where its speed is different, it undergoes refraction. If it approaches the boundary at an angle, its direction changes too.
Explain refraction by linking a change in wave speed to a change in direction; simply saying that the wave enters another material is not enough.
Frequency stays constant during refraction. A lower speed means a shorter wavelength, not a lower frequency.
For the core practical graph, put angle of incidence on the horizontal axis and angle of refraction on the vertical axis. Plot both directions on the same axes and draw separate smooth curves of best fit.
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