What is refraction?

What is refraction?

• A. The absorption of light by a surface.
• B. The reflection of light from a surface.
• C. The bending of light as it passes from one medium to another due to a change in speed.
• D. The emission of light by a heated object.

Answer: (C)

Refraction is the bending of light when it passes from one material into another because its speed changes in the new medium. When light enters a denser medium, it slows down and changes direction toward the perpendicular to the surface; when it moves into a less dense medium, it speeds up and bends away from that perpendicular. This bending explains everyday effects like a straw appearing to tilt in a glass of water or how lenses shape light. Absorption means light is taken in by the material, not redirected; reflection is light bouncing off a surface; emission is light produced by a hot object.

Refraction is the bending of light when it passes from one material into another because its speed changes in the new medium. When light enters a denser medium, it slows down and changes direction toward the perpendicular to the surface; when it moves into a less dense medium, it speeds up and bends away from that perpendicular. This bending explains everyday effects like a straw appearing to tilt in a glass of water or how lenses shape light. Absorption means light is taken in by the material, not redirected; reflection is light bouncing off a surface; emission is light produced by a hot object.