Question

Which are characteristics of a ray when it hits a boundary and refracts, but not when it hits the boundary and reflects? Check all that apply.

changes direction
changes speed
does not change direction
does not change speed
bounces off the boundary
passes through the boundary

Answer 1

- changes speed — yes. In refraction the ray enters a different medium so its speed changes; in reflection it stays in the same medium so speed does not change.
- passes through the boundary — yes. Refraction means the ray continues into the second medium; reflection means it bounces back and does not pass through.

(“changes direction” is not exclusive to refraction — both reflection and refraction can change the ray’s direction.)