* Different substances have different refractive indices. The refractive index is a measure of how much light slows down when it passes through a substance. A higher refractive index means light travels slower in that substance.
* Light travels at different speeds in different substances. When light crosses the boundary between two substances, it changes speed. This change in speed causes the light ray to bend.
Think of it like this:
Imagine a car driving on a smooth road then suddenly hitting a patch of mud. The car will slow down and change direction slightly. The light ray behaves similarly when it encounters a change in the refractive index.
Here are some examples of refraction:
* A straw in a glass of water appears bent. The light from the straw passes from water (higher refractive index) to air (lower refractive index) and bends, making the straw look broken.
* A rainbow forms when sunlight passes through raindrops. The light is refracted as it enters and exits the water droplets, separating the different colors.
* Lenses in eyeglasses and cameras bend light to focus images.
Let me know if you want to know more about how the angle of refraction is calculated!
