Refraction occurs with which waves?

Refraction occurs with which waves?

• A. Light waves only
• B. Sound waves only
• C. Light waves as well as sound waves
• D. Radio waves only

Answer: (C)

Refraction happens when a wave crosses into a medium where its speed changes, so the path bends. Any wave whose speed depends on the medium can refract, and light and sound are the classic examples. Light slows or speeds up as it enters materials like water or glass, changing direction at the boundary—think of a straw appearing bent in a glass or sunlight refracting through a prism. Sound also changes speed when it moves between media with different densities or elastic properties, causing its path to bend as it crosses boundaries or layers, such as air to water or air layers with temperature changes. Radio waves are affected as well, but the common teaching highlights light and sound, so the best answer is that light waves as well as sound waves refract.

Refraction happens when a wave crosses into a medium where its speed changes, so the path bends. Any wave whose speed depends on the medium can refract, and light and sound are the classic examples. Light slows or speeds up as it enters materials like water or glass, changing direction at the boundary—think of a straw appearing bent in a glass or sunlight refracting through a prism. Sound also changes speed when it moves between media with different densities or elastic properties, causing its path to bend as it crosses boundaries or layers, such as air to water or air layers with temperature changes. Radio waves are affected as well, but the common teaching highlights light and sound, so the best answer is that light waves as well as sound waves refract.