Exam-style question
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Explain how refraction occurs when a wave passes from air into water.
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- Refraction occurs because the wave speed changes as it enters a different medium.
- In air, the wave travels faster than in water, causing the wave to bend towards the normal at the boundary.
Explanation
Why this works
This answer effectively describes the fundamental concept of refraction, linking the change in wave speed to the bending of the wave. It tests the understanding of wave behavior at boundaries, which is crucial in wave physics.
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