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Wave behavior

Wave behavior. Basic behavior. All waves follow the same laws and move in the same ways: they all can be refracted, scattered, absorbed, diffracted, and interfered with. Reflection. Occurs when a wave meets an obstacle and bounces away from it.

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Wave behavior

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  1. Wave behavior

  2. Basic behavior • All waves follow the same laws and move in the same ways: they all can be refracted, scattered, absorbed, diffracted, and interfered with

  3. Reflection • Occurs when a wave meets an obstacle and bounces away from it. • On smooth surfaces, the angle of the reflection is the angle at which the light meets the plane (this is called the angle of incidence) • On rough surfaces, the light reflects in numerous directions (because the angle of incidence is varied) • The angle of incidence = the angle of reflection

  4. Refraction • Occurs when waves move from one density of medium to another • This distorts the waves • The refraction of sunlight through atmosphere is an example of this; atmospheric refraction causes light from stars and the sun to curve

  5. Dispersion • Refraction varies based on the frequency of the wave being bent • Prisms, for instance, disperse light into rainbows by separating each it into each of its frequencies; each color has its own frequency, so each color moves at a different rate, and as a result each color comes out at a different angle.

  6. Diffraction • Waves with longer wavelengths (lower frequencies) diffract more easily than waves with shorter wavelengths (higher frequencies) • Diffraction is controlled by the size of the wavelength

  7. Absorbtion • Occurs when the medium is able to absorb the wave • The energy of the wave is transferred to the medium; as a result, the wave vanishes • For example: a room is ‘soundproof’ when it is lined with material capable of absorbing soundwaves.

  8. Scattering • Occurs when the pathway of a wave is diverted and resumes in multiple directions • In light, this occurs when a photon is absorbed and immediately re-emitted • Varies based on wave frequency and the size of the medium from which the wave scatters • Scattering is what allows the sky to be blue: blue light has a shorter frequency than red light, so it is more scattered by molecules in the atmosphere

  9. Interference • Occurs when two or more waves meet • They join, or ‘superimpose.’

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