Question

How is wave refraction different from wave reflection?

Answer 1

$\huge\red{\underline{\mathfrak{aloha!!!!}}}$

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$\red{\mathbb{ANSWER}}$

Both are interactions between a wave and the interface between two different media:

Expanation-

Let us make it clear with an example-

✔️Imagine a wave that is coming from medium 1 and meets the interface with medium 2 (for example air-water).

In reflection the wave goes back to the first medium (air) while in refraction continues penetrating into the second (water).

✔️The two phenomena aren`t necessarily exclusive, i.e., you can have reflection AND refraction as at the interface air-water (an example of this is the formation of the rainbow, a combination of reflection and refraction in a drop of water).

✔️In refraction the original direction of propagation of the wave changes more or less according to the difference between the optical characteristics of the two media (refractive index and Snell`s Law).

✔️In reflection the direction of propagation of the reflected wave will form the same angle with the perpendicular to the plane of the interface (angle in=angle of reflection).

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Answer 2

Both are interactions between a wave and the interface between two different media:

Expanation-

Let us make it clear with an example-

✔️Imagine a wave that is coming from medium 1 and meets the interface with medium 2 (for example air-water).

In reflection the wave goes back to the first medium (air) while in refraction continues penetrating into the second (water).

✔️The two phenomena aren`t necessarily exclusive, i.e., you can have reflection AND refraction as at the interface air-water (an example of this is the formation of the rainbow, a combination of reflection and refraction in a drop of water).