Which characteristics change during refraction?

During refraction, the characteristics that change are the speed and wavelength of the wave. Refraction occurs when a wave travels from one medium into another and changes direction due to a change in its speed. The speed of the wave is influenced by the properties of the medium it is entering. As the speed changes, the wavelength of the wave also changes in accordance with the wave relationship, where speed equals frequency multiplied by wavelength.

In the context of sound waves, when they enter a different medium (like moving from air into water), the speed of sound increases or decreases based on the density and elastic properties of the new medium. The frequency remains constant, while the wavelength adjusts accordingly to maintain the wave relationship. This alteration in both speed and wavelength is crucial for understanding various phenomena related to sound and light waves as they interact with different environments.

Other characteristics, such as amplitude, frequency (which remains constant during refraction), duration, pitch, volume, and direction, do not inherently change due to the refraction process itself, making the change in speed and wavelength the primary focus of this concept.