Characteristics of Waves

Term

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Reflection

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Terms in this set (10)

The bouncing back of a wave when it hits a surface through which it cannot pass.

The bending of a wave as it passes at an angle from one medium to another

The bending of a wave when the wave finds an obstacle or an edge, such as an opening.

occurs when waves are transferred to the material it encounters

Example of Reflection

sound bouncing off canyon walls; light bouncing off a mirror

Example of Refraction

A straw in a glass of water looks bent

Example of diffraction

waves moving around a rock in the ocean; sound traveling around a corner

Example of absorption

when waves reach a shoreline, the energy is absorbed by the sand; solar panels

How does the seed of a light wave change as it moves from a gas to a liquid?

Do sound waves travel faster in the air or through an object?

through an object