Wave InteractionsWaves That Meet Each Other
Wave Interactions
Waves that meet each other or an object in the environment may interact. There are several types of interactions that waves may have.
Reflection occurs when a wave bounces back after striking a barrier. Reflected sound waves are called echoes; reflected light waves allow us to see objects.
Refraction is the bending of a wave as it passes at an angle from one medium to another. One common example of refraction of light waves is the broken pencil effect that can be observed when a pencil is placed in a glass of water. The pencil seems to be "broken" at the surface of the water as the light waves go from the air to the water.
Diffraction is the bending of waves around a barrier or through an opening. The amount of diffraction a wave experiences depends on two factors: the wavelength of the wave and the size of the barrier or opening the wave encounters. Sound travels around corners because it has relatively larger wavelengths than light. We can hear sounds around corners. We can't see around corners because light has a very small wavelength.
Interference is the result of two or more waves overlapping. Waves can meet, share the same space, and pass through each other. There are two types of interference:
1. Constructive
2. Destructive
Constructive interference has the net effect of increasing amplitude. When the crests of one wave overlap the crests of another wave, the result is addition of the two waves to create a wave with greater amplitude.
Destructive interference decreases amplitude. Destructive interference occurs when the crests of one wave and the troughs of another wave overlap. The result is to create a wave with smaller amplitude.
Interference can create standing waves. A standing wave is a wave that forms a stationary pattern in which portions of the wave are at the rest position due to total destructive interference and other portions have large amplitude due to constructive interference.
Resonance is another example of interaction
Waves that meet each other or an object in the environment may interact. There are several types of interactions that waves may have.
Reflection occurs when a wave bounces back after striking a barrier. Reflected sound waves are called echoes; reflected light waves allow us to see objects.
Refraction is the bending of a wave as it passes at an angle from one medium to another. One common example of refraction of light waves is the broken pencil effect that can be observed when a pencil is placed in a glass of water. The pencil seems to be "broken" at the surface of the water as the light waves go from the air to the water.
Diffraction is the bending of waves around a barrier or through an opening. The amount of diffraction a wave experiences depends on two factors: the wavelength of the wave and the size of the barrier or opening the wave encounters. Sound travels around corners because it has relatively larger wavelengths than light. We can hear sounds around corners. We can't see around corners because light has a very small wavelength.
Interference is the result of two or more waves overlapping. Waves can meet, share the same space, and pass through each other. There are two types of interference:
1. Constructive
2. Destructive
Constructive interference has the net effect of increasing amplitude. When the crests of one wave overlap the crests of another wave, the result is addition of the two waves to create a wave with greater amplitude.
Destructive interference decreases amplitude. Destructive interference occurs when the crests of one wave and the troughs of another wave overlap. The result is to create a wave with smaller amplitude.
Interference can create standing waves. A standing wave is a wave that forms a stationary pattern in which portions of the wave are at the rest position due to total destructive interference and other portions have large amplitude due to constructive interference.
Resonance is another example of interaction