Whats the difference between reflection and refraction?

Answer 1

Reflection is when a wave comes into contact with something and then returns to the medium from which it came. Refraction is when direction of a wave changes due to a change in it's phase velocity. For example, when light goes through a window, it refracts, but you can slightly see yourself in it, because a fraction of the light also reflects. Another example, I'll use an arrow. If the arrow goes this way ------> and then hits a wall and comes back this way <-------- it Reflected but if it goes this way

---------> and bounces off and goes this way, ^ it has Refracted.

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Answer 2

Reflection is the bouncing back of light waves off a surface, whereas refraction is the bending of light waves as they pass through a medium of different optical density. Reflection occurs when light hits a boundary and bounces back, while refraction happens when light passes through a boundary and changes direction.

Answer 3

Reflection is when light bounces of something like a mirror, Refraction is when light or any other material changes direction when it hits something.