Section 2
Reflection, Refraction, and Dispersion
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Version 3
By Boundless
By Boundless
Boundless Physics
Physics
by Boundless
5 concepts
![Thumbnail](../../../../../../figures.boundless-cdn.com/13722/square/figure-2026-02-06.jpeg)
The Law of Reflection and Its Consequences
The law of reflection states that the angle of reflection equals the angle of incidence.
![Thumbnail](../../../../../../figures.boundless-cdn.com/13723/square/figure-2026-03-01.jpeg)
The Law of Refraction: Snell's Law and the Index of Refraction
The amount that a light ray changes its direction depends both on the incident angle and the amount that the speed changes.
![Thumbnail](../../../../../../figures.boundless-cdn.com/17012/square/figure-2026-04-04.jpeg)
Total Internal Reflection and Fiber Optics
Total internal reflection happens when a propagating wave strikes a medium boundary at an angle larger than a particular critical angle.
![Thumbnail](../../../../../../figures.boundless-cdn.com/17021/square/poloriser-demo.jpeg)
Total Polarization
Brewster's angle is an angle of incidence at which light with a particular polarization is perfectly transmitted through a surface.
![Thumbnail](../../../../../../figures.boundless-cdn.com/17008/square/figure-2026-05-03.jpeg)
Dispersion: Rainbows and Prisims
Dispersion is defined as the spreading of white light into its full spectrum of wavelengths.