Questions and Answers
What is refraction?
What is interference in the context of sound?
The meeting or combining of waves.
What does diffraction refer to?
The spreading of a wave through an opening or around a barrier.
What is an example of reflection?
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Which scenario exemplifies diffraction?
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Reflection involves light bending when it hits a surface.
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What happens to light when it enters your eye?
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When a wave bounces off a barrier, what is this process called?
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Study Notes
Refraction
- Refraction occurs when light travels from one medium to another, causing it to bend, such as light entering a tank of water.
- An example is the visual distortion seen when a pencil appears bent in a glass of water.
- It also describes how light enters the eye, allowing for vision.
- Refraction leads to optical illusions like hands appearing distorted in a bucket of water.
- A laser beam spreading after hitting a different medium illustrates this phenomenon.
Reflection
- Reflection happens when waves bounce off barriers, demonstrated by echoes like footsteps in a hallway.
- An example includes seeing one's image in a mirror, which results from light reflecting off the surface.
- Sounds can reflect, such as the Grinch's voice echoing in a cave.
- Waves hitting the edge of a pool and bouncing off exemplify reflection in water.
Diffraction
- Diffraction refers to the spreading of waves as they pass through openings or around obstacles.
- Sounds can diffract, allowing one to hear conversations in the hallway from a classroom.
- An illustration of diffraction is water flowing around a tree in a river or around a rock.
- It describes how sound can travel, such as hearing the TV in another room.
Interference
- Interference occurs when two waves meet and combine, leading to varying sound or light patterns.
- Examples include individuals singing off-key together, which disrupts harmonic sound.
- Boat waves colliding exemplify interference as their energy interacts on the water surface.
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Description
Explore key concepts related to light waves like reflection, refraction, diffraction, and interference through these flashcards. Each term is illustrated with everyday examples to enhance understanding. Perfect for students learning about light in physics.
