Light bending phenomenon.

Light bending phenomenon.

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

Answer: (D)

Light bends when it passes from one medium to another because its speed changes with the material. This change in speed at a boundary makes the path tilt; the phenomenon is refraction. When light moves from air into water, it slows down because water has a higher refractive index, so the ray bends toward the normal (the line perpendicular to the surface). Refraction explains why objects appear shifted or bent when viewed underwater and why lenses work to focus light. Scattering sends light in many directions due to particles, reflection is light bouncing off a surface without entering the second medium, and absorption is light energy being taken up by the medium rather than changing direction.

Light bends when it passes from one medium to another because its speed changes with the material. This change in speed at a boundary makes the path tilt; the phenomenon is refraction. When light moves from air into water, it slows down because water has a higher refractive index, so the ray bends toward the normal (the line perpendicular to the surface). Refraction explains why objects appear shifted or bent when viewed underwater and why lenses work to focus light. Scattering sends light in many directions due to particles, reflection is light bouncing off a surface without entering the second medium, and absorption is light energy being taken up by the medium rather than changing direction.