Light refracts whenever it travels at an angle into a substance with a different refractive index (optical density). This change of direction is caused by a change in speed. For example, when light travels from air into water, it slows down, causing it to continue to travel at a different angle or direction.

What is an example of when light refracts?

Glass is a perfect everyday example of light refraction. Looking through a glass jar will make an object look smaller and slightly lifted. If a slab of glass is placed over a document or piece of paper, then the words will look closer to the surface because of the different angle the light is bending.

What causes refraction?

Refraction is caused by the wave's change of speed. ... Refraction occurs with any kind of wave. For example, water waves moving across deep water travel faster than those moving across shallow water. A light ray that passes through a glass prism is refracted or bent.