Refraction for children can be explained as the bending of light as it passes from one transparent material into another. Imagine looking at a pencil placed in a glass of water – it appears bent at the surface where water and air meet. This bending of light is due to refraction. This happens because light travels at different speeds through different materials, causing it to change direction.
Simply put, refraction refers to the change in direction of light as it passes from one substance into another, such as air through water or air through glass.
This change occurs because light travels at different speeds in different materials. When light enters a new material at an angle, one side of the light beam slows or speeds up in front of the other side, causing the light to bend or change direction.
In very short terms, refraction is the bending of light as it passes from one substance (like air) into another substance (like water or glass). This bending occurs because light changes speed as it passes from one material to another.
Bending is what causes objects viewed through water or glass to appear distorted or offset when viewed through air.
Reflection for children is the bounce of light when it hits a surface, like a mirror. When light hits a smooth, shiny surface, like a mirror or a calm lake, it does not pass through but bounces back in a predictable manner. This bouncing back is called reflection. It allows us to see our reflections in mirrors and objects like trees and buildings reflected in water. Reflection is what makes shiny objects bright and visible to us