Reflection and Waves

Front

Reflection

Back

When a wave strikes an object and bounces off of it.

Front

All types of waves can be reflected.

Back

Example: Echoes are reflected sound waves.

Front

Law of Reflection

Back

The angle of incidence is always equal to the angle of reflection.

Front

Refraction

Back

The bending of waves caused by a change in speed as it moves from one medium through another. The greater the change in speed, the more the wave bends.

Front

How prisms work

Back

Light waves enter into a prism and slow down due to the change in medium, causing the waves to bend (refract) as they move through the new medium.

Front

Different colors of light bending in a prism

Back

Different colors of light bend different amounts because each color of light is a different wavelength, thus travels at a different speed.

Front

Diagram of a prism

Back

The diagram illustrates how a prism separates light into different colors by bending each color at different angles due to their varying wavelengths.

Front

Diffraction

Back

When an object causes a wave to change direction and bend around it.

Front

Factors affecting diffraction

Back

The amount of diffraction depends on the size of the object the waves hit and the wavelength of the waves.

Front

Sound waves vs. light waves in diffraction

Back

Sound waves tend to diffract much better than light waves because they are much larger.