Wave Interactions

What do you think will happen when waves run into objects they can’t go through???

Reflection Reflection- when a wave hits a surface that it can’t pass through, it bounces back When the wave bounces back, it looks exactly the same, just opposite (like looking in a mirror)

Refraction Happens when a wave goes from one medium to another The speed will change as it enters a new medium Ex: going from air to water or vice versa The wave will change their speed, which will make the waves bend

Diffraction When waves bend around an obstacle Waves will bend and spread out

What do you think will happen when waves run into other waves????

Constructive Interference When two waves run into each other to make a bigger wave Will happen when two wave crests run into each other Will have bigger amplitude and more energy

Destructive Interference When two waves run into each other and make a smaller wave Will happen when a wave crest meets a wave trough Results in less energy, smaller amplitude

Standing Waves When waves reflect back and forth on a they create a standing wave Waves interfere with one other The wave will look like it’s standing still Waves are traveling in both directions

Standing Waves Nodes- where destructive interference occurs= 0 amplitude Antinode- where constructive interference occurs= big amplitude

Use this website to see these different wave interactions taking place: ml