Question

What changes during refraction but stays the same during reflection?

A. The speed of light

B. The wavelength of light

C. The direction of the light ray

D. It becomes a different part of the EM spectrum

Answer 1

Answer- The following changes during refraction, but stays the same during reflection:-

A. The speed of light.

B. The wavelength of light.

Explanation:-

We know that speed of light depends on the medium. So, speed of light will change in refraction, as the medium changes in refraction.

Frequency of light does not depend on the medium. So, it will not change in refraction.

Now,

Speed of light = Wavelength * frequency

So, as the speed of light changes, it's wavelength will also change to compensate for the change in speed in the case of refraction.

But in reflection, the medium doesn't change. Hence, the speed of light doesn't change in reflection. Hence it's wavelength also remains unchanged.