Reflection, Absorption, Transmission, Diffraction, and Refraction of Waves

Waves carry energy from one location or object to a second location or object. When a wave hits a surface or passes into a new medium, three things can happen to the wave (and the energy it is carrying): 1. Reflection- wave “bounces off” the surface and carries the energy in a different direction. 2. Absorption- energy is lost by wave (wave disappears) and object or surface gains the energy the wave was carrying. This gain in energy can show up as an increase in temperature, vibration, motion, etc. 3. Transmission- The energy the wave is carrying passes through the object or substance and creates a new wave on the other side. Often, more than one of these happens. But energy is ALWAYS conserved. Any loss of energy by the wave is equal to the gain in energy by the object or medium the wave passes into.

Reflection– sunlight reflects off the clouds Reflection– sunlight reflects off the clouds. Some of that reflected light comes straight to our eyes and we see the clouds. But some of the reflected light goes toward the water, reflects again off the water, comes to our eyes, and we see the image of the clouds in the water.

An echo is a reflected sound wave.

Sonar uses reflected sounds waves to detect objects.

Bat sonar (AKA-echolocation) is far better than any man-made sonar: Whales and Dolphins also use Sonar to detect prey and other objects.