Wave Interactions

Front

What is diffraction?

Back

Diffraction is the bending or spreading of waves as they move around a barrier or pass through an opening.

Front

What is constructive interference?

Back

Constructive interference occurs when two waves combine to make a wave with an amplitude larger than the amplitude of either of the individual waves.

Front

What is an antinode?

Back

An antinode is the point of maximum amplitude on a standing wave.

Front

What is destructive interference?

Back

Destructive interference occurs when two waves combine to make a wave with an amplitude smaller than the amplitude of either of the individual waves.

Front

What is a standing wave?

Back

A standing wave is a wave that appears to stand in one place, even though it is two waves interfering as they pass through each other.

Front

What is interference in wave interactions?

Back

Interference is the phenomenon that occurs when two or more waves overlap and combine to form a new wave.

Front

What is a node?

Back

A node is a point along a standing wave where the wave has minimum amplitude.

Front

What is resonance?

Back

Resonance is the phenomenon that occurs when an object is made to vibrate at its natural frequency, resulting in a large amplitude.

Front

What is the principle of superposition?

Back

The principle of superposition states that when two or more waves overlap, the resulting wave is the sum of the individual waves.

Front

What is wave reflection?

Back

Wave reflection is the bouncing back of a wave when it hits a barrier.