Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) Secondary Integrated Science Practice test

What occurs during refraction of waves?

1. Waves change direction and speed when entering a new medium

2. Waves create standing waves

3. Waves lose energy

4. Waves interfere destructively only

The correct answer is: Waves change direction and speed when entering a new medium

During the refraction of waves, the primary phenomenon that occurs is the change in direction and speed of the waves as they enter a new medium. This process is fundamentally linked to the differences in the wave's speed within various materials. For example, when light waves move from air into water, they slow down and change their path, resulting in bending of the waves. This behavior is governed by Snell's Law, which mathematically describes how the angle of incidence and the angle of refraction are related to the indices of refraction of the two media involved. The other options do not accurately describe refraction. While standing waves can occur in certain conditions, they are not a direct result of refraction. Energy loss may occur in various contexts, but it is not a defining feature of the refraction process itself. Lastly, while waves can interfere constructively or destructively, this interaction is not a primary characteristic of refraction. Thus, the correct choice reflects the essential change in direction and speed that characterizes the refraction of waves as they transition between different media.