What occurs when light bends?

• A. It reflects off the surface
• B. It dissipates
• C. It refracts, or changes direction
• D. It travels faster

Answer: (C)

When light bends, it refracts, which means it changes direction as it passes from one medium to another, like from air into water. This bending occurs due to the change in speed of light as it moves through materials with different densities. For instance, when light hits the surface of water at an angle, it slows down and changes direction, which is why objects under water can appear distorted or shifted compared to their actual position above the water's surface. Understanding refraction is important for various applications, such as in lenses used in glasses, cameras, and other optical devices, where controlling the direction of light is essential for clear images.