Meaning & use
light refraction
Last updated
Meaning
noununcountabletechnicalphysics
the bending of light as it passes from one material into another, such as from air into water
Grammar: No plural form. Often used with 'of': the refraction of light. Can be the subject of a sentence: Light refraction causes...
Patterns
- light refraction occurs
- the refraction of light
- cause light refraction
Light refraction makes a straw look bent when it stands in a glass of water.
The scientist studied light refraction through different types of glass.
A rainbow is caused by light refraction and reflection in water droplets.
Common combinations
- light refraction occurs
- Light refraction occurs when light travels from air into water.
- the law of light refraction
- Students learn the law of light refraction in physics class.
- study light refraction
- The researchers study light refraction in new optical materials.
- cause light refraction
- The curved lens causes light refraction that focuses the image.
Synonyms and how they differ
- refraction
- Refraction is the general term for the bending of any wave, including sound and water waves; light refraction specifies that the wave is light.
Word family
- refract verb
- To make light bend as it passes through a material.
- refractive adjective
- Describing a material or property that causes light to bend.
Commonly confused: light refraction or reflection?
light refraction vs reflection
Reflection is when light bounces off a surface, like a mirror. Refraction is when light bends as it passes through a material.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'light refraction' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Light refraction is the bending of light as it passes from one material to another, which makes the pencil look broken. Option B describes reflection, option C describes absorption, and option D describes light that does not change direction.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “light refraction”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.