Wave Behavior Reflection Reflection When a wave strikes

Wave Behavior

Reflection • Reflection- When a wave strikes an object or surface and bounces off. – Ex: Echo is reflected sound waves – Ex: Mirror reflects light waves • If smooth surface the reflected image is clear and sharp • If rough or uneven the reflected image is distorted because reflected light scatters

Refraction • Refraction- The bending of a wave as it moves from one medium into another – Ex: Pencil in glass of water looks like it is bending • Light waves travel faster in air than in water • Larger speed change means a bigger difference – Prisms refract light twice and separates colors (rainbow) because each color has a different wavelength – Wavelength (Decreasing) • Red (longest), Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet (shortest)

Diffraction • Diffraction- Bending of waves around a barrier – Sound waves diffract much easier than light waves because they have longer wave lengths than light waves • Water does the same around barriers

When Waves Meet • Interference- When two waves combine and form a new wave when they overlap – After they overlap the two waves continue to travel on in their original form • Constructive interference creates larger waves (crest meets crest) • Destructive interference creates smaller waves (crest meets trough) – Waves with larger amplitudes carry more energy. • Ex: Ocean Waves – Use ear protectors to absorb some of the energy carried by sound waves