What do you call the process when light changes direction as it passes through different materials?

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

Answer: (B)

The process when light changes direction as it passes through different materials is known as refraction. Refraction occurs because light travels at different speeds in different materials, such as air, water, or glass. When light enters a new medium at an angle, its speed changes, causing it to bend. This bending of light is responsible for various optical phenomena, such as the way objects appear distorted underwater or the formation of rainbows when light passes through raindrops.

Understanding refraction is essential in applications such as lens design for glasses and cameras, where manipulating light’s path enhances vision or captures images more effectively.