Which term describes when waves bend or change direction as they enter a new material due to a change in speed?

Which term describes when waves bend or change direction as they enter a new material due to a change in speed?

• A. Absorption
• B. Refraction
• C. Transmission
• D. Reflection

Answer: (B)

When a wave enters a different material, its speed changes because the medium affects how quickly the wave can move. If the wave meets the boundary at an angle, this change in speed makes the path bend, so the wave changes direction. This bending is refraction. A familiar example is light looking bent when it goes from air into water. If the wave hits the boundary straight on, it doesn’t bend, though it still passes through. Absorption would involve the wave’s energy being taken up by the material rather than changing direction. Transmission is just the wave passing through, and reflection is the wave bouncing back from the boundary.

When a wave enters a different material, its speed changes because the medium affects how quickly the wave can move. If the wave meets the boundary at an angle, this change in speed makes the path bend, so the wave changes direction. This bending is refraction. A familiar example is light looking bent when it goes from air into water. If the wave hits the boundary straight on, it doesn’t bend, though it still passes through.

Absorption would involve the wave’s energy being taken up by the material rather than changing direction. Transmission is just the wave passing through, and reflection is the wave bouncing back from the boundary.