Types of Wave Interactions

Types of Wave Interactions

• Key interactions include reflection, refraction, diffraction, absorption, and interference.

Reflection

• Occurs when a wave encounters a surface it cannot penetrate, resulting in the wave bouncing back.
• The incident angle (incoming ray) is equal to the reflected angle.

Diffuse Reflection

• Happens when waves reflect in multiple directions due to irregular surfaces.

Refraction

• Refers to the bending of a wave as it moves between different media, influenced by varying wave speed.
• The speed change alters the angle of the wave, causing it to bend.

Diffraction

• The process of wave bending as it passes around obstacles or through narrow openings, leading to spreading out.

Absorption

• Energy of a wave is taken up by a substance, preventing it from passing through or reflecting.
• Transmitted waves retain less intensity compared to the original waves.

Light Dispersion

• The separation of light into its constituent colors based on frequency.

Color Perception

• An object's color is determined by the wavelengths of light it reflects; for instance, a blue car reflects blue wavelengths and absorbs others.

Rainbows

• Formed from the dispersion of sunlight through tiny water droplets, leading to a spectrum of colors.

Blue Sky Explanation

• The sky appears blue due to selective scattering of light by atmospheric nitrogen and oxygen molecules.
• Violet light scatters the most, followed by blue, green, yellow, orange, and red, with human eyes being more sensitive to blue light.

Types of Wave Interactions

• Key interactions include reflection, refraction, diffraction, absorption, and interference.

Reflection

• Occurs when a wave encounters a surface it cannot penetrate, resulting in the wave bouncing back.
• The incident angle (incoming ray) is equal to the reflected angle.

Diffuse Reflection

• Happens when waves reflect in multiple directions due to irregular surfaces.

Refraction

• Refers to the bending of a wave as it moves between different media, influenced by varying wave speed.
• The speed change alters the angle of the wave, causing it to bend.

Diffraction

• The process of wave bending as it passes around obstacles or through narrow openings, leading to spreading out.

Absorption

• Energy of a wave is taken up by a substance, preventing it from passing through or reflecting.
• Transmitted waves retain less intensity compared to the original waves.

Light Dispersion

• The separation of light into its constituent colors based on frequency.

Color Perception

• An object's color is determined by the wavelengths of light it reflects; for instance, a blue car reflects blue wavelengths and absorbs others.

Rainbows

• Formed from the dispersion of sunlight through tiny water droplets, leading to a spectrum of colors.

Blue Sky Explanation

• The sky appears blue due to selective scattering of light by atmospheric nitrogen and oxygen molecules.
• Violet light scatters the most, followed by blue, green, yellow, orange, and red, with human eyes being more sensitive to blue light.

Explore the fundamental interactions of waves, including reflection, refraction, diffraction, absorption, and interference. This quiz challenges your understanding of how waves behave in different situations and materials. Test your knowledge on how these interactions affect wave properties.