Wave Interactions: Reflection Refraction and Beyond

Mrs. Bodishon explains wave interactions, including reflection, refraction, diffraction, and interference. Reflection involves waves bouncing back from surfaces, while refraction occurs when waves change direction and speed across different media. Diffraction describes waves bending around edges or through openings. Interference, both constructive and destructive, involves waves combining to alter amplitude. Real-life examples, such as echoes, rainbows, and noise-canceling headphones, illustrate these concepts.

What happens to a wave when it reflects off a surface?

• It bounces back.

• It disappears.

• It changes speed.

• It passes through the surface.

Which angle is equal to the angle of reflection?

• Angle of interference

• Angle of diffraction

• Angle of incidence

• Angle of refraction

What is refraction?

• A wave changing direction and speed in a new medium

• A wave bending around an edge

• A wave bouncing back from a surface

• A wave creating a larger amplitude

Why does light slow down when it enters glass from air?

• Light speeds up in denser mediums.

• Light does not change speed in different mediums.

• Glass is less dense than air.

• Glass has more particles than air.

What is diffraction?

• A wave changing speed in a new medium

• A wave bouncing back from a surface

• A wave bending around an edge or through an opening

• A wave creating a smaller amplitude

How can you hear sounds from the other side of a building?

• Sound waves interfere with each other.

• Sound waves diffract around the building.

• Sound waves refract through the building.

• Sound waves reflect off the building.

What is constructive interference?

• A wave bending around an edge

• Two waves creating a larger amplitude

• A wave changing speed in a new medium

• Two waves canceling each other out

What happens during destructive interference?

• Waves bend around an edge.

• Waves change direction in a new medium.

• Waves cancel each other out or create a smaller wave.

• Waves combine to create a larger wave.

How do noise-canceling headphones work?

• They create destructive interference with incoming sound waves.

• They reflect sound waves.

• They amplify sound waves.

• They diffract sound waves.

What is demonstrated by the ripple effect in water?

• Only constructive interference

• Only destructive interference

• Both constructive and destructive interference

• Neither constructive nor destructive interference