What is the phenomenon called when light bends as it passes from one medium to another?

• A. Reflection
• B. Diffraction
• C. Refraction
• D. Dispersion

Answer: (C)

The phenomenon where light bends as it transitions between different media is known as refraction. When light travels from one medium, such as air, into another medium, like water or glass, its speed changes due to the differing optical densities of these materials. This change in speed causes the light to change direction, which is the bending effect we observe.

Refraction is a fundamental concept in understanding how lenses and optical devices work, as it allows us to manipulate light to focus it or redirect it for various applications, such as in corrective eyewear or cameras. The degree of bending also depends on the angle at which the light enters the new medium and the specific properties of the two media involved.

Other phenomena related to light include reflection, where light bounces off surfaces; diffraction, which involves the spreading of light waves around obstacles or through openings; and dispersion, the separation of light into its constituent colors, such as when white light passes through a prism. While these processes involve light behavior, they do not specifically describe the bending action that occurs during the transition between different media, making refraction the correct term for this phenomenon.