noun
- the bending of light, sound, or other waves when they pass from one medium into another of different density
Usage: physics
Examples
- The refraction of light through water makes objects appear bent.
- A prism demonstrates refraction by splitting white light into colors.
- The refraction of sound waves can cause echoes in certain environments.
- Eyeglasses work by using refraction to correct vision problems.
- The straw in the glass appeared broken due to refraction.
- Scientists study the refraction of seismic waves to understand Earth’s interior.