Question

What two conditions must be present to cause refraction of a sound wave?

a) perpendicular incidence and identical media propagations speeds
b) perpendicular incidence and reflector size smaller than one length
c) oblique incidence and different media propagation speeds
d) oblique incidence and reflector size smaller than one wavelength
e) normal incidence and reflector size smaller than one wavelength

Answer 1

Refraction occurs when there is oblique incidence and differing speeds of wave propagation in two media, causing the sound wave to bend according to Snell's law.

Step-by-step explanation:

The conditions that must be present to cause refraction of a sound wave are oblique incidence and different media propagation speeds. This means that the sound wave must enter at a non-perpendicular angle (oblique incidence) to the boundary of two media, and the speed of sound must be different in the two media. When these conditions are met, the sound wave will bend or change its path, following Snell's law, which relates the angles of incidence and refraction to the propagation speeds in the different media.