What happens when a ray of light of light originating in the air hits the surface of a body of water?

Answer 1

the light slows down - as the speed of light in water is slower than that in air.
the refractive index of water is around 1.33
so light speed is c/1.33 = 0.75c

the light also refracts (is bent) at the surface of the water. This is why a pool looks shallower than it actually is. As the light hits the water, its phase velocity reduces, and the direction changes, and it slows down. the wavelength also changes (shortens) - the frequency stays the same
An amount of the light may also reflect back from the surface of the water.

Answer 2

it depends on the angle of incidence, type of light ray (freq, wavelength), and type of medium (viscosity).

In some cases, especially when you shine the ray at an angle larger than a critical value for the particular medium, total internal refraction occurs, in which all light is reflection, no light goes into the water

In other cases, a portion of light, normally a large portion, enters the water, cos its transparent. However the speed of the ray slows because water is a denser medium compared to air. hence angle changes a little.

The other portion reflects back into air, just like as in the 2nd paragraph.

I did not talk about heat loss and other stuff. Inconsequential to predicting the wave behavior.

hope this helps

Answer 3

Part of the ray is reflected from the surface (depending on the angle at which it is struck to the surface).

Part is transmitted, and a very small part is absorbed by all the various particulates in the water and generated as heat.

Answer 4

There is Partial reflection, partial refraction and partial polarisation.

Answer 5

Usually it drowns