Wave Behavior: Interference and Diffraction

Wave Behavior

Interference

• Occurs when two or more waves overlap in space and time
• Resultant wave has an amplitude that is the sum of the individual wave amplitudes
• Can be constructive (amplitudes add) or destructive (amplitudes cancel)
• Examples: ripple patterns on water, sound waves, light waves

Diffraction

• Bending of waves around an obstacle or through a narrow opening
• Occurs when a wave encounters a barrier or a slit that is comparable in size to the wavelength
• Results in a change in direction of the wave
• Examples: sound waves around a corner, light waves through a prism

Resonance

• Occurs when a system vibrates at a specific frequency, amplifying the wave
• Results in maximum energy transfer and amplitude
• Examples: guitar strings, pendulums, atomic nuclei

Reflection

• Change in direction of a wave when it hits a surface
• Angle of incidence equals angle of reflection
• Types: specular (mirror-like) and diffuse (scattered)
• Examples: light waves on a mirror, sound waves on a wall

Refraction

• Change in direction of a wave when it passes from one medium to another
• Bending of light as it passes through a prism or lens
• Snell's law: relates angles of incidence and refraction
• Examples: light waves through a glass of water, sound waves through a medium change

Transmission

• Passage of a wave through a medium without reflection or absorption
• Depends on the properties of the medium and the wave
• Examples: light waves through a transparent material, sound waves through a gas

Wave Behavior

Interference

• Two or more waves overlap in space and time, resulting in a new wave with an amplitude that is the sum of the individual wave amplitudes
• Can be constructive (amplitudes add) or destructive (amplitudes cancel), resulting in a new wave pattern
• Examples: ripple patterns on water, sound waves, and light waves

Diffraction

• Waves bend around an obstacle or through a narrow opening, changing direction
• Occurs when a wave encounters a barrier or a slit that is comparable in size to the wavelength
• Examples: sound waves around a corner, light waves through a prism

Resonance

• A system vibrates at a specific frequency, amplifying the wave and resulting in maximum energy transfer and amplitude
• Occurs when the frequency of the wave matches the natural frequency of the system
• Examples: guitar strings, pendulums, and atomic nuclei

Reflection

• A wave changes direction when it hits a surface, with the angle of incidence equal to the angle of reflection
• Types of reflection: specular (mirror-like) and diffuse (scattered)
• Examples: light waves on a mirror, sound waves on a wall

Refraction

• A wave changes direction when it passes from one medium to another, with the angle of incidence and refraction related by Snell's law
• Bending of light as it passes through a prism or lens
• Examples: light waves through a glass of water, sound waves through a medium change

Transmission

• A wave passes through a medium without reflection or absorption, depending on the properties of the medium and the wave
• Examples: light waves through a transparent material, sound waves through a gas

Electromagnetic Spectrum

• Electromagnetic spectrum is the range of frequencies of electromagnetic radiation, from low-frequency, long-wavelength to high-frequency, short-wavelength radiation.

Order of Wavelengths

• Longest wavelength to shortest wavelength: Radio Waves, Microwaves, Infrared Radiation, Visible Light, Ultraviolet Radiation, X-Rays, and Gamma Rays.

Microwaves

• Wavelength: 1 mm to 10 cm
• Frequency: 3 kHz to 300 GHz
• Used for heating and cooking food, wireless communication systems, and radar technology.

Radio Waves

• Wavelength: 10 cm to thousands of km
• Frequency: 3 kHz to 300 MHz
• Used for wireless communication systems, navigation systems, and radar technology.

Infrared Radiation

• Wavelength: 780 nm to 1 mm
• Frequency: 300 GHz to 400 THz
• Used for thermal imaging, night vision, and heating and cooling systems.

Visible Light

• Wavelength: 400 nm to 780 nm
• Frequency: 400 THz to 800 THz
• Used for vision and sight, lighting and illumination, and photography.

Ultraviolet Radiation

• Wavelength: 10 nm to 400 nm
• Frequency: 800 THz to 30 PHz
• Used for disinfection and sterilization, medical treatments, and forensic analysis.

Applications of Electromagnetic Radiation

• Medical applications: diagnosis, treatment, and therapy
• Communication systems: wireless communication, broadcasting, and navigation
• Industrial applications: heating, cooling, and material processing
• Scientific research: spectroscopy, astronomy, and environmental monitoring