Wave Interactions and Behaviors

Wave Behaviors A. Reflection- bouncing back of a wave as it meets a boundary or surface - Examples: Echoes, Looking in a mirror

Wave Behaviors B. Refraction– bending of waves as they pass from one medium to another

Wave Behaviors C. Diffraction– bending of waves around an edge

Wave Interactions D. Interferance – combination of 2 or more waves  usually produces one wave (bigger if in phase) (smaller if out of phase)

Wave Interactions Constructive interference – when waves combine to create a bigger wave  sum of the amplitudes of the waves /

/ Wave Interactions 2. Destructive interference – when waves combine to form a smaller or no wave  some may completely cancel out  difference between the amplitudes of the waves - Example drawing – figure 10-22 (page 307) /

Wave Interactions E. Wave speed depends on the medium ex. Sound  moves fastest through solids  moves moderately fast through liquids  moves slowest through air/gases (340 m/s) - due to movement of molecules in the medium

Wave Interactions F. Light travels at a constant speed 3x 108 m/s = 300,000,000 m/s (186,000 miles/sec.) - symbolized as “c”