Wave Behavior

1
Wave Behavior

• Up to this point we discussed waves continuing on
  forever.
• Is this reality? Write your thoughts in your notes

2
Wave Behavior

• Waves will eventually reach the end of a medium
  or encounter an obstacle.
• The point where the mediums change is called the
  boundary.
• Behavior of a wave when reaching the end of a
  medium is called boundary behavior.

3
Wave Behavior

• When a wave encounters a boundary between two
  mediums (such as air and water), three things are
  possible
• Reflected
• Refracted
• Diffracted

4
Reflection
the turning back (bouncing off) of a wave When
it reaches the boundary of the medium through
which it is traveling

• A wave bounces off the new medium
• Examples
• Mirror (light)
• Echo (sound)

5
Refraction

• Occurs when a wave is transmitted into a new
  medium at an angle
• Bending of a wave when it passes into a new
  medium
• Occurs because the speed in one medium is
  different than the speed in a second medium

6
Diffraction
the spreading of a wave around a barrier
or through an opening
7
Phet Simulation

• Use the Phet simulation link (on my webpage) to
  simulate the following wave behaviors.
• Reflected
• Refracted
• Diffracted
• Diagram your results and explain what behaviors
  you were able to simulate. If you were not able
  to simulate one of the behaviors explain whey.