Wave Interactions

Chapter 18

 

Properties of Waves

1. Reflection – ability of a wave to bounce off a surface it cannot pass through

–        Angle of Incidence – angle at which a wave hits an object

–        Angle of Reflection – angle at which a wave bounces off an object

 

•         Law of Reflection –
angle of incidence = angle of reflection

 

 

2. Refraction – bending of a wave as it enters a different medium

–        This happens for all waves, not just light

–        Light bends when it hits a prism and splits into separate colors

 

 

 

3. Diffraction – bending of waves around a barrier