Wave Behavior Quiz

Reflection, Refraction, and Diffraction of Waves

• Waves undergo specific behaviors when they encounter the end of a medium, including reflection and transmission.
• Two-dimensional waves, such as water waves, can be studied using a ripple tank to observe reflection, refraction, and diffraction.
• A linear object in water can become a source of straight waves with alternating crests and troughs.
• When straight waves encounter an obstacle, they bounce off and change direction according to the law of reflection.
• Waves reflecting off a parabolic surface converge at a focal point and spread out again.
• Refraction involves a change in direction, speed, and wavelength of waves passing from one medium to another.
• Water waves travel fastest in deep water and slow down and bend when passing from deep to shallow water.
• Refraction is observed in a ripple tank partitioned into deep and shallow sections.
• Diffraction is the bending of waves around obstacles and openings and is observed in water waves, sound waves, and light waves.
• The amount of diffraction increases with increasing wavelength.
• Diffraction of sound waves is commonly observed and used by forest-dwelling birds such as owls to communicate across long distances.
• Diffraction of light waves is only observed when encountering obstacles with extremely small wavelengths.