Question

What causes the bending of light in refraction?

The returning of a wave to the medium from which it came when it hits a barrier.
O Change in wave speed.
O Selective absorption.
O Diffraction.

Answer 1

Light bends in refraction due to a change in wave speed when it passes from one medium to another with a different refractive index.

Step-by-step explanation:

The bending of light in refraction is caused by a change in wave speed.

When light travels from one medium to another with a different refractive index, its speed changes. This change in speed causes the light rays to bend or change direction. It is important to note that the bending of light occurs because the speed of light is different in different materials. The change in speed leads to a change in the direction of the light wave.

For example, when light passes from air into water, it slows down and bends towards the normal line (an imaginary line perpendicular to the surface of the water). This can be observed when placing a pencil in a glass of water - the pencil appears to bend at the water's surface. This bending of light is due to the change in wave speed during refraction.

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