When light travels through a different medium, the most relevant phenomenon is:
Light waves refract when they travel through a different medium.
Refraction occurs because light travels at different speeds in different materials. This change in speed causes the light waves to change direction at the boundary between the two media.
Additionally:
- Reflection can also occur when light encounters a boundary, but this is not the only outcome of traveling through a different medium.
- Light waves do not stop moving when they hit a different medium; rather, they continue to propagate, but their speed and direction can change.
- Light waves may speed up or slow down depending on the medium. For example, light travels faster in air than in water or glass.
In summary, refraction is the primary effect observed when light transitions between different mediums.