What happens during wave reflection and refraction?

During wave reflection, waves bounce back from a barrier, while in refraction, waves change direction as they enter a new medium.

Wave reflection occurs when waves encounter a surface or boundary that does not absorb the energy of the wave and does not allow it to pass through. The wave, instead of being absorbed or transmitted, is reflected back into the medium from which it originated. This is commonly observed with light waves, such as a beam of light hitting a mirror and being reflected back. The law of reflection states that the angle of incidence, the angle at which the wave hits the surface, is equal to the angle of reflection, the angle at which it leaves the surface.

On the other hand, wave refraction is the change in direction of a wave passing from one medium to another caused by its change in speed. For example, when light travels from air into water, it slows down, causing it to continue to travel with a changed direction or refracted. The law of refraction, also known as Snell's law, describes how the angle of incidence and the speed of the wave in the different media determine the angle of refraction.

In summary, both reflection and refraction involve changes in the direction of waves. Reflection occurs when waves bounce off a barrier, maintaining the angle between the incoming and reflected waves. Refraction occurs when waves pass from one medium to another, changing their speed and direction. Understanding these phenomena is crucial in various fields, including optics, seismology, and even in understanding natural phenomena like rainbows.