
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]
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.
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.
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 …
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 …
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, …
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 …
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 …
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.
Refraction – The 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.