Final answer:
The passage of light through an object that results in a change of direction is known as refraction, which occurs when light moves between mediums of different densities, such as air and water.
Step-by-step explanation:
The passage of light through an object can be described by one of several physical processes, and in answering such a question, it is essential to understand the differences between these processes. When light passes through an object, multiple interactions can occur at the interface between different mediums (such as air and glass). Some of the light can be transmitted, which means it passes through the object with no change in its path or medium. Other interactions include absorption, where the light is taken in by the object and converted into energy (usually heat), and reflection, where the light bounces off the surface of an object.
However, when light changes direction as it passes from one medium to another, the correct term for this phenomenon is refraction. Refraction occurs due to the difference in the speed of light in different materials, causing the light rays to bend. A common example of refraction is the apparent bending of a straw when it is placed in a glass of water. The part of the straw in water appears disconnected from the part above water due to the light rays bending as they move from water to air, which are mediums with different optical densities.
To directly answer the student's question, the passage of light through an object—specifically when its direction changes as it passes through variations in matter—is called refraction. So the correct answer is D) Refraction.