Why do waves refract at different angles?

Waves refract at different angles due to changes in the medium's speed, which alters their direction and wavelength.

Refraction is a fundamental concept in wave theory, which describes the change in direction of a wave passing from one medium to another. The principle behind this phenomenon is that waves travel at different speeds in different media. When a wave encounters a new medium, the speed of the wave changes, which in turn affects its direction and wavelength.

The angle of refraction, or the direction in which the wave bends, is determined by Snell's Law. This law states that the ratio of the sine of the angle of incidence to the sine of the angle of refraction is equal to the ratio of the velocities of the wave in the two different media. In simpler terms, the angle at which the wave enters the new medium (the angle of incidence) and the speed of the wave in both media will determine the angle at which the wave refracts.

The change in speed of the wave is due to the properties of the medium. For example, light waves travel faster in air than in water or glass. Therefore, when a light wave passes from air into water or glass, it slows down, causing it to refract or bend. The degree of bending, or the angle of refraction, will be different depending on the properties of the medium.

Furthermore, the wavelength of the wave also changes when it enters a new medium. This is because the speed of the wave and its wavelength are directly related. As the speed of the wave decreases, the wavelength also decreases. This change in wavelength also contributes to the change in direction of the wave, or refraction.

In conclusion, the refraction of waves at different angles is a result of changes in the speed and wavelength of the wave as it passes from one medium to another. This is governed by the properties of the medium and the angle at which the wave enters the new medium.