Can you explain the concept of wave refraction?

Wave refraction is the bending of waves as they pass from one medium to another.

When waves encounter a change in the medium they are travelling through, such as going from deep to shallow water, they will change direction due to the change in speed. This is known as refraction. The amount of bending depends on the angle at which the wave hits the boundary and the difference in speed between the two media.

In the case of water waves, when they approach a coastline, they will refract towards areas of shallower water. This means that waves will tend to hit the coastline at an angle, rather than head-on, which can cause erosion and deposition of sediment. The shape of the coastline can also affect wave refraction, with curved coastlines causing waves to refract more than straight coastlines.

Wave refraction can also occur in other types of waves, such as light waves. When light passes from one medium to another, such as from air to water, it will refract due to the change in speed. This is why objects appear distorted when viewed through water, and why a straw in a glass of water appears to bend.

Understanding wave refraction is important in fields such as oceanography, coastal engineering, and optics. By predicting how waves will refract, scientists and engineers can design structures and systems to better withstand the forces of waves and light.