Transcript Wave Behavior - Sebastian Charter Junior High

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