Hello, I'm an expert in the field of physics, specifically in the area of wave dynamics. Let's dive into the concept of why waves bend, which is a phenomenon also known as refraction. Waves bend, or refract, when they pass from one medium to another where the wave speed is different. This change in speed is due to the varying properties of the media, such as density and elasticity. Here's a step-by-step explanation: 1. Wave Speed: The speed of a wave is determined by the medium through which it travels. For example, light waves travel faster in air than in water or glass. 2. Change in Medium: When a wave encounters a boundary between two different media, the part of the wave in the slower medium slows down. 3. Bending Effect: Because the wave can't change speed instantaneously, the wave's path bends towards the normal (a line perpendicular to the boundary) of the slower medium. 4. Refraction Angle: The degree to which a wave bends is described by Snell's Law, which relates the angles of incidence and refraction to the velocities of the wave in the two media. 5. Wavelength and Frequency: It's important to note that the frequency of a wave (the number of waves that pass a point per unit time) remains constant during refraction. Only the wavelength (the distance between two successive peaks or troughs) changes. 6. Energy Conservation: Refraction is a result of the conservation of energy. The wave's energy must continue on its path, so when it encounters a medium with different properties, it adjusts its path to continue moving forward. Now, let's translate that into Chinese: 你好，我是物理学领域的专家，特别擅长波动动力学。让我们深入探讨为什么波会弯曲，这一现象也被称为折射。 当波从一个介质传入另一个波速不同的介质时，波就会弯曲或折射。这种波速的变化是由于介质的不同特性，如密度和弹性所导致的。以下是一步步的解释： 1. 波速：波的速度由它所通过的介质决定。例如，光波在空气中的传播速度比在水中或玻璃中快。 2. 介质变化：当波遇到两种不同介质之间的边界时，处于较慢介质中的波部分会减慢速度。 3. 弯曲效应：由于波不能瞬间改变速度，波的路径会向较慢介质的法线（与边界垂直的线）弯曲。 4. 折射角：波弯曲的程度由斯涅尔定律描述，该定律将入射角和折射角与波在两种介质中的速度联系起来。 5. 波长和频率：需要注意的是，在折射过程中波的频率（单位时间内通过一点的波的数量）保持不变。只有波长（两个连续波峰或波谷之间的距离）会改变。 6. 能量守恒：折射是能量守恒的结果。波的能量必须继续沿其路径传播，因此当它遇到具有不同特性的介质时，它会调整其路径以继续向前移动。 read more >>

Refraction is the change in direction of waves that occurs when waves travel from one medium to another. Refraction is always accompanied by a wavelength and speed change. Diffraction is the bending of waves around obstacles and openings.read more >>