Question

the diagram below represents straight wave fronts passing from deep water into shallow water, with a change in speed and direction. which phenomenon is illustrated in the diagram? reflection refraction diffraction interference

Explanation:

• Reflection: Occurs when a wave bounces back from a surface. In the diagram, the wave is not bouncing back but passing into a new medium (shallow water from deep water), so this is not reflection.
• Refraction: Happens when a wave passes from one medium to another and changes speed and direction. Here, the wave fronts are moving from deep water (one medium) to shallow water (another medium) with a change in speed and direction, which is characteristic of refraction.
• Diffraction: Is the bending of waves around obstacles or through openings. There is no indication of an obstacle or opening in the diagram, so this is not diffraction.
• Interference: Involves the superposition of two or more waves. The diagram does not show multiple waves combining, so this is not interference.

Answer:

refraction