What does it mean when radio waves are refracted?

When radio waves are refracted, they are redirected as they pass through a medium. Refraction occurs when a wave travels from one medium into another where its speed changes, such as from air into glass or water. This change in speed causes the wave to change direction, allowing it to bend at the interface between the two media. Refraction is a fundamental principle in wave physics and is pivotal for applications such as radar and communication technologies, where understanding how waves propagate through different environments is essential for accurately measuring speed and distance.

In contrast, bouncing off an object describes reflection, while absorption refers to the waves being taken in by a medium rather than changing direction. Energy loss and dissipation pertain to scenarios where signals weaken or change form during transmission, but they do not encompass the concept of redirection that characterizes refraction.