The explanation for refraction must involve a change in Warm air you
A. speed.
B. frequency.
C. wavelength.
D. all of these.
The correct answer and explanation is :
Correct Answer:
A. Speed
Explanation:
Refraction occurs when a wave changes direction as it passes from one medium to another due to a change in speed. In the case of light or sound waves traveling through air, refraction happens when there is a variation in air temperature, such as between warm and cold air layers.
Warm air is less dense than cold air, and this difference in density affects the speed of light and sound waves. When a wave moves from a cooler to a warmer region, its speed increases. Conversely, when it moves from a warmer to a cooler region, its speed decreases. This change in speed results in a bending of the wave’s path.
However, the frequency of a wave does not change during refraction. Frequency is determined by the source of the wave and remains constant as the wave moves through different media. Since frequency remains unchanged and speed changes, the wavelength must adjust accordingly. The relationship between speed (( v )), frequency (( f )), and wavelength (( \lambda )) is given by the equation:
[
v = f \lambda
]
Since frequency remains constant, if the speed of the wave increases (in warm air), the wavelength must also increase to maintain the equation’s balance. However, the fundamental cause of refraction is the change in speed, making option A (Speed) the correct answer.
In practical terms, this principle is observed in mirages, where light bends due to variations in air temperature. Similarly, sound waves bend in different directions depending on temperature layers, influencing how we perceive sounds over long distances.