To draw the refraction of light effectively, follow these steps:

1. Understand the Principle: Refraction occurs when light passes from one medium to another with a different refractive index, bending as it does so. The angle of refraction depends on the angles of incidence and the refractive indices of the two media.

2. Draw the Incident Ray: Begin by drawing a straight line to represent the incident ray. This ray should enter the boundary between the two media at an angle.

3. Indicate the Boundary: Draw a clear line to represent the boundary between the two media. This line should intersect the incident ray at the point of incidence.

4. Apply Snell's Law: Use Snell's Law (n1 sin(θ1) = n2 sin(θ2)) to calculate the angle of refraction. Here, n1 and n2 are the refractive indices of the first and second media, respectively, and θ1 and θ2 are the angles of incidence and refraction.

5. Draw the Refracted Ray: Starting from the point of incidence, draw a new line at the calculated angle of refraction. This line represents the refracted ray.

6. Consider the Medium: The refractive index of the medium affects the amount of bending. Higher refractive indices cause more bending. For instance, light bends more when entering water than when entering air.

7. Add Realism: To enhance the realism of your drawing, consider the following:

Color: The color of the medium can affect the appearance of the refracted light.

Transparency: If the medium is transparent, the light may scatter or reflect off the surface.

Shadows: Cast shadows to add depth and dimension to the scene.

The reason for these steps lies in the fundamental principles of optics. According to Snell's Law, the angle of refraction depends on the refractive indices of the two media and the angle of incidence. By accurately calculating and representing these angles in a drawing, you can effectively illustrate the refraction of light. Data from various experiments and theoretical models in optics confirm the validity of Snell's Law and the principles used in drawing light refraction. For example, the refractive index of air is approximately 1.0003, while the refractive index of water is about 1.333. These values help determine the amount of bending when light passes from air to water.