What is the bending of sound rays due to variable consistencies called?

The bending of sound rays due to variable consistencies is known as refraction. This phenomenon occurs when sound waves travel through different mediums or layers of water that have varying physical properties, such as temperature or salinity. As the sound waves transition between these different mediums, their speed changes, leading to a bending effect.

Refraction is crucial in underwater acoustics as it affects how sound propagates, influencing everything from sonar performance to marine life communication. It is different from reflection, which involves sound waves bouncing off a surface; diffraction, which pertains to the spreading of waves around obstacles; and the refraction index, which is a numerical value that measures the change in speed as sound waves move through different media. Understanding refraction is essential for accurately interpreting acoustic data and for further applications in oceanographic studies.