What phenomenon explains the bending of light waves when entering a new medium?

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The bending of light waves when they enter a new medium is known as refraction. This phenomenon occurs due to a change in the speed of light as it passes from one medium into another, such as from air into water or glass. When light travels through different materials, its velocity changes; for instance, light moves more slowly in water than in air.

As a result of this change in speed, the light wave alters its direction at the boundary between the two media. The degree to which the light bends depends on the indices of refraction of the two mediums involved. This bending is described by Snell's Law, which relates the angles of incidence and refraction to the ratio of the indices of refraction.

Understanding refraction is crucial in various applications, such as the design of lenses, optical instruments, and even understanding natural phenomena like rainbows. The correct option highlights the fundamental principle of how light behaves at the interface between different materials.