Friday, June 26, 2015

optics - Reconciling refraction with particle theory and wave theory


I have searched the web for good answers to why refraction occurs when light moves from one medium to another with different density. I have limited background in physics and want to know if there is an easy way to understand this without having to go back to school for years.


Most explanations come in some variant of the "Marching line of soldiers" analogy, where a straight line of soldiers change pace when they hit an boundary. I have no problem understanding the analogy, my problem is understanding how this is even relevant to light.




  • The analogy does not work for light as a particle. The particle does not "know" of particles around it, and should follow a straight line.




  • How does a single ray of light (wave), as part of a "wave front" know what other rays are doing?







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