Wave Interactions PDF

Wave Interactions Types of Wave Interactions 1) Reflection 2) Refraction 3) Diffraction 4) Absorption 5) Interference Reflection Reflection happens when an object or a wave hits a surface through which it cannot pass. ⦁ As a result, the wave bounces back Reflection: Angles The angle of the incomi...

Wave Interactions Types of Wave Interactions 1) Reflection 2) Refraction 3) Diffraction 4) Absorption 5) Interference Reflection Reflection happens when an object or a wave hits a surface through which it cannot pass. ⦁ As a result, the wave bounces back Reflection: Angles The angle of the incoming ray (incident angle) is equal to the angle of the reflected ray Diffuse Reflection In diffuse reflection, reflection may occur in many different directions due to an irregular surface Refraction Refraction occurs as a wave passes from one medium to into another ⦁ Caused by a difference in wave speed Refraction Refraction: Angles The speed of the angle of the wave changes as it enters the second medium, which causes it to “bend”  Diffraction Diffraction is the bending of a wave as it passes around an object or through a narrow slit ⦁ Results in the wave bending and spreading out  Absorption Absorption occurs when the energy of a wave remains inside of a substance rather than directly passing through or being reflected The portion of the wave not absorbed is transmitted from the material with less intensity than before Light dispersion is the separation of light into colors arranged according to frequency  Why do we see colors? The color you see is a result of the wavelengths of light that an object absorbs or reflects A blue car appears blue because it reflects the blue wavelengths of light and absorbs all of the other wavelengths  Rainbows Rainbows are the result of the dispersion of sunlight by tiny water particles  Why is the sky blue? ⦁ Due to the selective scattering of light ⦁ Violet light is scattered most by nitrogen and oxygen molecules in the atmosphere ⦁ Followed by blue, green, yellow, orange, then red ⦁ Our eyes are very sensitive to violet light ⦁ We see the next highest frequency of light: BLUE!