1. Let's Catch a Wave Tutoring session for
TEK I5B – demonstrate wave interactions including interference, polarization, reflection, refraction, and resonance within various materials

2. Types of Waves and Forms of Energy
Sound
Electromagnetic radiation:
Radio
Microwave
Light (visible)
Ultra-violet
X-Rays
Electrons (tiny negative particles of an atom)

3. Parts of a Wave – WAVE DIAGRAMS
crest
Frequency - # of wavelengths that pass a fixed point each second
Amplitude - distance from the midpoint to the crest or trough (height)
midpoint
trough

4. Interesting Behaviors of WAVES
Reflection
Refraction
Interference
Diffraction
Resonance
Polarization

5. Refraction vs. Reflection
Waves move from their source in a straight line
that is until… they run into something
Reflection = waves bounce off a surface
(mirror, water, snow, shiny metals, etc.)
Refraction = waves bend as they travel
through a different medium (air, water etc.)
(pencil in a glass of water – it looks split)

6. Diffraction is the movement of waves around an object or through a small opening
Example: Every shore on an island has incoming waves; Why? the waves change direction and bend around the island
Example: A wave approaching a barrier will pass through the opening in the barrier and continue in the same pattern.

7. Interference = when 2 waves meet and a combined wave is formed
Constructive –the ending wave is bigger
Destructive – the ending wave is smaller

8. Resonance – ability of an object to vibrate by absorbing energy at its natural frequency.
Examples:
Tuning fork will vibrate when another is vibrating a few meters away
Soldiers “break step” when crossing bridges so as not to match the natural frequency of the bridge & cause collapse

9. Polarization =light is made to travel in one direction
Polarized Light – light in which transverse waves vibrate in only one direction
Polarized Sunglasses – help keep light out of eyes, but still allow you to see clearly

10. Let’s sum this thing up …
Match wave behaviors to the correct situation:
Light waves are filtered; only move horizontally
Waves bend around a barrier
Two or more waves meet and the amplitude increases
A flower stem appears to be “broken” when observed in a clear vase with water
Waves bouncing off of a surface such as water, snow, or a shiny metal
RESONANCE
INTERFERENCE
REFRACTION
REFLECTION
POLARIZATION
DIFFRACION
1 – E 2 – F 3 – B 4 – C 5 - D

11. through the opening in the barrier? (A) (B) (C) (D)
1. The diagram above shows waves approaching a barrier. Which pattern will be formed after the waves pass
through the opening in the barrier?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D) B

12. A guitar player is seated next to a piano
A guitar player is seated next to a piano. The piano player strikes an E key on the piano. The guitarist reports that this causes the E string on his guitar to vibrate. What is the name of this phenomenon?
Resonance
Polarization
Reflection
Diffraction A

13. 3. Which of these tools is most useful in
identifying the wavelengths of visible light?
(F) Convex lens
(G) Spectroscope
(H) Microscope
(J) Concave mirror G

14. 4. Which label on the model represents a wavelength? (F) Q (G) R (H) S
(J) T F

15. The pitch of a sound made by plucking a guitar string is determined by the
Frequency of the vibration produced
Strength of the plucking force
Distance between the strings
Shape of the guitar body A