Examples for

Refraction

Refraction is the change in direction of light rays due to a change in the medium they pass through. Wolfram|Alpha provides a wide range of formulas for refraction, including Snell's law, and can be used to compute refractive indices or the position of rainbows. Do computations using the thin lens equation or Fresnel's equation.

Refraction

Compute the effects of refraction on light in lenses, prisms and raindrops.

Compute refractions using Snell's law:

Snell's law

Do a Fresnel's law computation:

Fresnel's law

Compute the refraction of light in a prism:

refraction in a prism

Do computations using the thin lens equation:

lens, f=20ft, o=400ft
two lenses, f1=20 ft, d=10 ft, f2=30 ft, o=400 ft
three lenses in contact

Calculate the height of a rainbow:

altitude of a rainbow

Compute the focal length of a lens:

focal length of a lens with 8 diopter
Refractive Indices

Compute the refractive index for a wide variety of substances.

Calculate the refractive index of humid air:

refractive index of moist air

Determine the refractive index of water:

refractive index of water, wavelength=400nm

Look up the refractive index of a material:

refractive index of natural diamond
More examples

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