Physics 312 Lecture: "Reflection and Refraction of Electromagnetic Waves." Apr 16, 1998

Light waves are one variety of electromagnetic waves
E-M waves are transverse
E-M waves cover a vast span of wavelength and energy
Physicists measure angles of light rays relative to the normal to a surface
When light waves reflect from a smooth surface, the angle of reflection equals the angle of incidence
When light moves from one medium to another, it
- changes wavelength
- changes speed
- changes direction
The ratio of the speed of light in a vacuum to its speed in some medium is the index of refraction of that substance
The wavelength of light in a medium is equal to its wavelength in a vacuum, divided by the index of refraction of the medium
If a light ray hits a boundary between two media at some angle theta1 to the normal, it is refracted into the second medium at an angle theta2 given by Snell's Law:
```
                 n1 * sin(theta1) = n2 * sin(theta2)
```

This lecture discusses material in Chapter 34 and 35 of Serway.