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Refraction is the change in direction of a wave passing from one medium to another or from a gradual change in the medium. It is most commonly observed when light or sound waves pass through interfaces between different media, such as from air into water, or from one type of glass to another. The amount and direction of the change in direction depend on the initial direction of the wave, the nature of the two media, and the wavelength of the wave.

The law of refraction, also known as Snell's law, describes the relationship between the angles of incidence and refraction, the indices of refraction of the two media, and the wavelength of the light. It states that the ratio of the sine of the angle of incidence to the sine of the angle of refraction is equal to the ratio of the indices of refraction of the two media.

Refraction is responsible for many optical phenomena, such as the bending of a straw in a glass of water, the formation of rainbows, and the focusing of light by lenses. It is also used in various technologies, such as optical fibers for communication and lenses for vision correction.

In the context of sound waves, refraction can cause sounds to bend around obstacles or to be heard from unexpected directions. This is why sounds can sometimes be heard around corners or through walls.

Refraction is a fundamental concept in physics and has numerous practical applications in various fields, including optics, acoustics, and geophysics.