Which term describes the bending of light as it travels from one material to another?

Which term describes the bending of light as it travels from one material to another?

• A. Angle of Refraction
• B. Dispersion
• C. Brightness
• D. Luster

Answer: (A)

Light bends when it passes from one material into another because its speed changes at the interface. This bending is described by refraction, and the specific amount is given by the angle of refraction—the angle the light makes with the normal inside the second material after entering. Snell’s law ties together the incident angle, the refractive indices of the two media, and the refracted angle, explaining exactly how the path changes. In gemstones, this bending is what helps create the stone’s brilliance, since light is redirected within the cut facets. The other terms don’t describe this bending: dispersion refers to splitting white light into colors because different wavelengths refract by different amounts; brightness is about perceived light intensity; luster is the surface quality that reflects light.

Light bends when it passes from one material into another because its speed changes at the interface. This bending is described by refraction, and the specific amount is given by the angle of refraction—the angle the light makes with the normal inside the second material after entering.

Snell’s law ties together the incident angle, the refractive indices of the two media, and the refracted angle, explaining exactly how the path changes. In gemstones, this bending is what helps create the stone’s brilliance, since light is redirected within the cut facets.

The other terms don’t describe this bending: dispersion refers to splitting white light into colors because different wavelengths refract by different amounts; brightness is about perceived light intensity; luster is the surface quality that reflects light.