TEAS 7 practice test science Related

Review TEAS 7 practice test science related questions and content

What phenomenon occurs when a wave encounters a change in medium causing a change in its speed and direction?

  • A. Refraction
  • B. Reflection
  • C. Diffraction
  • D. Interference
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Refraction is the phenomenon that occurs when a wave encounters a change in medium, causing a change in its speed and direction. This change in speed and direction is due to the wave bending as it passes from one medium to another with a different density. It is essential to understand refraction as it plays a crucial role in various phenomena, such as the bending of light in lenses, the formation of rainbows, and the way seismic waves travel through the Earth's layers. Reflection, while also a wave phenomenon, involves the bouncing back of a wave when it encounters a boundary. Diffraction refers to the bending of waves around obstacles or through openings, and interference involves the combination of two or more waves to form a new wave pattern.