About 24,900 results
Open links in new tab
  1. Refraction - Wikipedia

    In physics, refraction is the redirection of a wave as it passes from one medium to another. The redirection can be caused by the wave's change in speed or by a change in the medium. [1]

  2. Refraction | Definition, Examples, & Facts | Britannica

    Dec 26, 2025 · refraction, in physics, the change in direction of a wave passing from one medium to another caused by its change in speed. For example, waves travel faster in deep water than in shallow.

  3. Refraction: What It Is and Why Light Bends - All About Vision

    Sep 10, 2025 · Learn what refraction is, why light bends and how it affects vision, lenses, rainbows and other parts of your everyday life.

  4. Refraction – Definition, Refractive Index, Snell’s Law

    Oct 20, 2021 · In physics, refraction is the change in speed and direction of a wave as it enters a new medium. Perhaps the most familiar example is the refraction of white light in a prism, bending …

  5. Refraction - Math is Fun

    Refraction is the "bending" of light (or any electromagnetic wave) when entering a different medium. When electromagnetic waves enter a different medium the speed changes. The frequency stays the …

  6. 25.3: The Law of Refraction - Physics LibreTexts

    The changing of a light ray’s direction (loosely called bending) when it passes through variations in matter is called refraction. Refraction is responsible for a tremendous range of optical phenomena, …

  7. Physics Tutorial: Refraction and the Ray Model of Light

    The ray nature of light is used to explain how light refracts at planar and curved surfaces; Snell's law and refraction principles are used to explain a variety of real-world phenomena; refraction principles are …

  8. Refraction | AMNH

    This can make refraction very useful. For example, the curve of eyeglasses directs light rays into the eyes more effectively. Magnifying lenses also use refraction: the convex lens bends the light rays so …

  9. What Is Refraction? - BYJU'S

    Refraction is the bending of a wave when it passes from one medium to another. The bending is caused due to the differences in density between the two substances.

  10. RefractionThe Physics Hypertextbook

    Refraction is the change in direction of a wave caused by a change in speed as the wave passes from one medium to another. Snell's law describes this change.