Path of Light through an Acoustic Wave

index of refraction of air

n

air

1

sound volume m

0.7

frequency of sound w

0.5

initial angle of light θ

0.01

Consider a light wave traveling through a sound wave. Since a sound wave is a fluctuation in air pressure, there is also a fluctuation in the refractive index of the air. This fluctuation in refractive index bends the path of light as it travels through the air.