Wave Interactions

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Wave Interactions
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Wave Interactions

• Interactions occur
• when a wave meets an object or another wave.
• when a wave passes into another medium

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Reflection

• The bouncing back of a wave when it meets a
  surface or boundary.

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Reflection

• The angle of incidence always equals the angle of
  reflection

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Diffraction

• Bending of waves around an object or opening
• Ex. Sound from the classroom moving into the hall

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Diffraction
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Refraction

• Bending of waves when they pass from one medium
  to another
• Wave starts in one direction and changes
  direction as it crosses a boundary
• Ex. Spoon in water looks broken

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Refraction
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Absorption

• Wave is absorbed as it passes through objects
• Some objects or materials have properties that
  absorb certain kinds of waves

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Interference

• Interference is the result of two or more waves
  overlapping.
• Two types
• Constructive
• Destructive

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Constructive Interference

• Any interference in which waves combine so that
  the resulting wave is bigger than the original
  waves.
• Occurs when the crests of one wave overlap the
  crests of another wave OR the troughs of the
  waves overlap

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Constructive Interference

• Amplitudes are added!

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Destructive Interference

• Interference where waves combine so that the
  resulting wave is smaller than the largest of the
  original waves
• Crest of one wave meets the trough of another

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Destructive Interference

• Amplitudes are subtracted!

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