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Refraction alters the direction of light waves due to changes in propagation speed. The figure is taken from Encyclopaedia Britannica, which is linked in full on this page. Every fact on Mondo Knows names its source rather than repeating an unsourced claim.

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Light bends when transitioning between different transparent materials

Refraction alters the direction of light waves due to changes in propagation speed

When light passes obliquely from one material into another with a different refractive index, its speed changes instantly. This sudden change in velocity causes the wave front to pivot, bending the light beam toward or away from the normal line. Lenses in eyeglasses, microscopes, and cameras rely on refraction to focus light beams precisely.

Where this comes from

Encyclopaedia Britannica

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Tags: physics, optics, refraction

Light bends when transitioning between different transparent materials: the short answers

Where does this come from, and can I check it?: Refraction alters the direction of light waves due to changes in propagation speed. The figure is taken from Encyclopaedia Britannica, which is linked in full on this page. Every fact on Mondo Knows names its source rather than repeating an unsourced claim.
Is this really a science fact?: Yes. It sits on the Science shelf, one of 1,090 sourced facts grouped into space, animals, the human body, history, science and more. Category pages collect every fact in the same field.
What else can I read about it?: The links under the fact point to a quiz, game, puzzle or calculator on the same subject, and the shelf below shows related facts. The wording here is original, and quoted phrases are marked as quotations.