Natural Science (NATS) 1525 Practice Test

Which describes refraction?

The bending of light as it passes from one medium to another. Light bouncing off a surface. Light absorption by a material. Light emission by a heated object.

Correct Answer:

The bending of light as it passes from one medium to another.

Explanation:

Refraction is the bending of light as it moves from one medium into another with a different optical density, which changes its speed. When light crosses a boundary, it must slow down or speed up, and this change in speed makes its path tilt instead of continuing straight, following Snell’s law. That’s why a straw in water looks bent at the surface—the light is slowing as it enters the water and changes direction. The other possibilities describe different light behaviors: bouncing off a surface is reflection, not refraction; light absorption is when light energy is taken up by the material; and light emission is light produced by a hot object or other source.

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