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Refraction occurs when a wave enters a new medium at an angle because

User Kirrosh
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Answer

The refracted wave must obey Snell's equation

Ni sin θi = Nr sin θr

If Nr differs from Ni then sin θr will differ from sin θi

If the wave originates from point A and ends at point B then Snell's Law shows that the time for light to get from point A to point B is a minimum.

User Attie
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