What occurs when light rays bend as they pass through a lens?

When light rays pass through a lens, they undergo a phenomenon known as refraction. Refraction occurs due to the change in speed of light as it moves from one medium into another, such as from air into glass or other materials composing the lens.

As light enters the denser medium of the lens, it slows down and changes direction, which results in the bending of the light rays. This bending can cause the light to converge (as in a convex lens) or diverge (as in a concave lens), ultimately allowing lenses to focus or spread light.

This principle is foundational in understanding how lenses work in various applications, such as in glasses, cameras, and microscopes. In contrast, reflection involves light bouncing off a surface, diffusion refers to the scattering of light in different directions, and absorption occurs when light is taken up by a material and converted into other forms of energy, rather than being transmitted through it.