All of these behaviors occur with mechanical and electromagnetic waves Wave behaviors Interference Doppler Effect Reflection Refraction Diffraction All of these behaviors occur with mechanical and electromagnetic waves
Interference of Waves When waves arrive at the same place at the same time, interference occurs as they interact =
Constructive interference (superposition) - When identical parts of a wave overlap Ex: crest/crest, compression/compression Build on each other (increase amplitude) Also called reinforcement or In Phase
Destructive interference -When opposite parts of a wave overlap Ex: crest/trough, compression/rarefaction Cancel each other out (decrease amplitude) Also called out of phase
Effect of superposition Beats – effect that results when 2 tones of slightly different frequencies are sounded together. Some overlap (louder) and some cancel (softer) beats Unknown frequency activity
Resonance – when the frequency of a forced vibration on an object matches the natural frequency of that object. Matching the rhythm (frequency) can amplify vibrations Shattering glass https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10lWpHyN0Ok (rock star) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sH7XSX10QkM (little kid)
Doppler effect Doppler Effect – The change in frequency of a wave due to the motion of the wave source or wave receiver Ex. Sound of a train approaching Increase in frequency as it approaches Decrease in frequency as it moves away
Doppler effect videos interactive view of waves moving sound source moving plane
Behavior of Waves When waves interact with a boundary, it can change the speed and/or direction of a wave. A boundary is the transition point between two different mediums (air/water, cold air/warm air, air/table)
Reflection Reflection – when a wave bounces off an object/boundary Incident ray- incoming ray Reflected ray- outgoing ray Normal- imaginary perpendicular to the reflective surface Law of reflection- angle of incidence = angle of reflection
Refraction Refraction – when a wave bends due to a change in speed as it passes between two different boundaries Index of refraction- determines the amount of bending of the wave as it passes from one medium to another
Diffraction Diffraction – the spreading of a wave as it moves through an opening or around an object