1. The Behavior of Waves

2. Reflection
Reflection occurs when a wave strikes an object and bounces off of it.
All types of wave can be reflected.
Sound reflection is an echo.
Light reflection in a mirror.

3. The Law of Reflection Normal – line drawn perpendicular to the surface
The beam striking the mirror is called the incident beam.
The beam that bounces off the mirror is called the reflected beam.
Angles are measured between the beams and the normal.

4. The Law of Reflection
The angle of incidence is always equal to the angle of reflection.

5. Refraction The wave speed is determined by the medium.
Different mediums, different speeds.
Because of the difference in speeds the wave will bend as it goes from one medium into another.

6. Refraction
Refraction is the bending of a wave caused by a change in its speed as it moves from one medium to another.

7. Diffraction the bending of waves around the edge of a barrier.
Diffraction and refraction both cause waves to bend.
Refraction occurs when waves pass from one medium to another.
Diffraction occurs when waves pass around an object in the same medium.
Diffraction

8. Diffraction & Wavelength
The amount of bending depends upon the wavelength and the opening being similar in size.
Light won’t diffract through a doorway, but sound will

9. Diffraction of Radio Waves
AM radio waves have longer wavelengths than FM radio waves.
Therefore, AM radio waves diffract around obstacles like buildings and mountains and FM won’t diffract as much
AM radio reception is often better than FM reception around tall buildings and natural barriers such as hills.

10. Interference
When two or more waves traveling through the same space at the same time.
They combine to form a new wave, the process is called interference.

11. Constructive Interference
When the two or more waves add together to form a larger amplitude than either of the other waves alone.
Energies add to transfer more total energy.

12. Destructive Interference
When the two or more waves add together to form a smaller amplitude than either of the other waves alone.
Energies subtract to transfer less total energy.

13. Standing Waves
A standing wave is when two waves equal in wavelength and amplitude, but traveling in opposite directions interfere with each other.

14. Resonance
The process by which an object is made to vibrate at its natural frequencies is call resonance.