What term describes the bending of a wave as it passes into a new medium?

What term describes the bending of a wave as it passes into a new medium?

• A. Reflection
• B. Refraction
• C. Diffraction
• D. Interference

Answer: (B)

When a wave crosses into a different medium and changes speed, its path bends. This bending is called refraction. The change in speed depends on the medium’s properties (for light, its refractive index); entering a slower medium makes the wave bend toward the boundary’s normal, and entering a faster medium makes it bend away from the normal. A familiar example is a straw appearing to bend in a glass of water. Refraction explains why the direction changes at the boundary, whereas reflection is bouncing back from the boundary, diffraction involves bending around edges, and interference comes from overlapping waves creating patterns.

When a wave crosses into a different medium and changes speed, its path bends. This bending is called refraction. The change in speed depends on the medium’s properties (for light, its refractive index); entering a slower medium makes the wave bend toward the boundary’s normal, and entering a faster medium makes it bend away from the normal. A familiar example is a straw appearing to bend in a glass of water. Refraction explains why the direction changes at the boundary, whereas reflection is bouncing back from the boundary, diffraction involves bending around edges, and interference comes from overlapping waves creating patterns.