Which phenomenon describes the bending of sound waves as they pass through different layers of water?

The phenomenon that describes the bending of sound waves as they pass through different layers of water is known as refraction. Refraction occurs when sound waves travel through media with varying properties, such as changes in temperature, salinity, or pressure in the ocean. As these waves enter a layer with different characteristics, their speed changes, causing the waves to bend. This bending is crucial for understanding how sound propagates underwater, affecting sonar operations and underwater communication.

In contrast, reflection refers to the bouncing back of sound waves when they hit a boundary, such as the ocean surface or the sea floor. Diffraction is the spreading of waves around obstacles or the edges of openings, which is distinct from the bending due to changing medium layers. Transmission relates to the passage of sound waves through a medium without bending or altering direction. Each of these phenomena plays a role in underwater acoustics, but refraction specifically addresses the bending caused by differing water layers.