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  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 – 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 …

  4. 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.

  5. Refraction of light - Science Learning Hub

    Refraction is the bending of light (it also happens with sound, water and other waves) as it passes from one transparent substance into another. This bending by refraction makes it possible for us to have …

  6. Refraction: Definition, Laws, Refractive Index, and Applications

    Apr 21, 2020 · Refraction is a phenomenon when a ray of light traveling through a medium changes (bends) its direction upon entering into another medium. The two media are separated by an …

  7. 13.4: Refraction - Physics LibreTexts

    Sep 15, 2025 · In refraction across the interface between vacuum and any other medium, the other medium has rays closer to the normal. Among gases, the ray gets closer to the normal if you …

  8. 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 …

  9. Refraction of Light - HyperPhysics

    Refraction is the bending of a wave when it enters a medium where its speed is different. The refraction of light when it passes from a fast medium to a slow medium bends the light ray toward the normal to …

  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.