1.3: WAVE BEHAVIOR AND INTERACTION

REFLECTION Reflection happens when a wave bounces back after hitting a barrier. Light waves reflecting off an object allow you to see that object. A reflected sound wave is called an echo.

REFRACTION Refraction is the bending of a wave as the wave pass from one medium to another at an angle. When a wave moves from one medium to another, the wave’s speed and wavelength changes.

REFRACTION Refraction also depends on the density of the medium through which light is passing. Video

DIFFRACTION Diffraction is the spreading out of waves through an opening or around the edge of an obstacle The edges of a shadow appear fuzzy because of diffraction. The light waves spread out, or diffract, around the object that is making the shadow. Video

Constructive Interference Waves adding together The waves' crests and troughs are aligned briefly, which means they join up exactly Amplitudes are added together

Destructive Interference Waves canceling each other out The crest of one wave joins briefly with the trough of the other. The energy of one wave is subtracted from the energy of the other

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