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Physical Science - Chapter 12 Lesson 3 - Interaction of Waves

Terms in this set (23)

What changes the direction of a wave?
Waves change direction by reflection, refraction, & diffraction.
Reflection
When a wave hits a surface, any part of the wave the cannot pass through the surface bounces back.
What do all reflected waves obey?
The law of reflection
Incoming Wave
A wave moving toward the surface at an angle.
Angle of Incidence
The angle between the incoming wave & the normal.
Normal
A line perpendicular to the surface at the point where reflection occurs.
Angle of Reflection
The angle between the reflected wave & the normal.
Reflected Wave
A wave bouncing off the surface at an angle.
What happens when a wave enter a new medium at an angle?
When a wave enters a new medium at an angle, one side of the wave changes speed before the other side. This causes the wave to bend.
Why does bending occur?
Bending occurs because different parts of the wave travel at different speeds.
Refraction
Is the bending of waves due to a change in speed.
Do waves always bend when entering a new medium?
No
What cause for bending not to occur?
No bending occurs if a wave enters a new medium at a right angle. Bending doesn't occur if the speed of the wave in the new medium is the same as the speed of the wave in the old medium.
Diffraction
When a wave moves around a barrier or through an opening in a barrier, it bends and spreads out.
Interference
Is the interaction between waves that meet.
What are the 2 types of wave interference?
Constructive
Destructive
Constructive Interference
Interference in which waves combine to form a wave with a larger amplitude than any individual wave's amplitude.
Destructive Interference
Interference in which 2 waves combine to form a wave with a smaller amplitude that either original wave.
What can cause destructive interference to occur?
Destructive interference can occur when the crest of one wave overlaps the trough of another wave.
How do standing waves form?
If the incoming wave & reflected wave have just the right frequency, they combine to form a wave that appears to stand still. This wave is called a standing wave.
Standing Wave
Is a wave that appears to stand in one place, even though it is 2 waves interfering as they pass through each other.
Nodes
In a standing wave, destructive interference produces points with zero amplitude.
Antinodes
Points of maximum amplitude on a standing wave.
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