Light paths refer to the routes that light waves take as they travel through different mediums, such as air, water, or glass. When light encounters a new medium, it can change direction, a phenomenon known as refraction. This bending of light is responsible for various optical effects, such as the way a straw appears bent in a glass of water. In addition to refraction, light paths can also be affected by reflection, where light bounces off surfaces like mirrors or water. Understanding light paths is essential in fields like optics, photography, and even astronomy, where the behavior of light influences how we perceive the universe and capture images of celestial bodies like stars and planets.