Interactions of waves

Interactions of waves

1. Direction of a wave

   • waves can change direction by
     • Reflection
       • When a wave hits a surface, whatever does not pass through bounces back.
         • examples
           • when you look in a mirror or see your face in a lake.
       • Not only light waves reflect, all waves reflect.
     • Refraction
       • It is the bending of waves due to a change in speed.
         • When a wave enters a new medium at an angle, one side of the wave changes speed before the other side, causing the wave to bend.
           • If it enters the medium at a right angle it does not bend.
     • Diffraction
       • When waves bend or spread out around barriers or pass through opening.

Images and files in the map