Wave Interactions

Front

Reflection Noun

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[ri-flek-shun]

Back

Reflection

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The bouncing of a wave off a surface or obstruction, causing it to head in a different direction.

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Example: A light ray hits a mirror and bounces off, showing reflection with labeled angles.

Front

Angle of incidence Noun

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[ang-guhl of in-si-dens]

Back

Angle of incidence

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The angle formed between an incoming wave and the normal, which is an imaginary line perpendicular to the surface.

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Example: The image shows how the angle of incidence is formed between an incoming light ray and the normal line on a mirror.

Front

Normal Noun

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[nor-muhl]

Back

Normal

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An imaginary line drawn perpendicular to a surface at the exact point where a wave strikes it.

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Example: The image shows a 'normal' line perpendicular to a mirror where a light wave strikes, illustrating wave reflection.

Front

Angle of reflection Noun

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[ang-guhl of ri-flek-shun]

Back

Angle of reflection

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The angle formed between a reflected wave and the normal, an imaginary line perpendicular to the surface.

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Example: The image shows how a light ray reflects off a mirror, forming an angle with the normal line.

Front

Refraction Noun

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[ri-frak-shun]

Back

Refraction

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The bending of a wave that is caused by a change in its speed as it moves from one medium to another.

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Example: Light entering a prism bends and splits into colors, showing refraction.

Front

Absorption Noun

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[ab-sorp-shun]

Back

Absorption

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The process by which the energy of a wave is transferred to the material it encounters instead of reflecting.

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Example: A wave enters a material; some energy is absorbed, some reflected, and some transmitted.

Front

Diffraction Noun

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[di-frak-shun]

Back

Diffraction

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The bending and spreading of waves as they move around an obstacle or pass through a narrow opening.

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Example: Light waves bend and spread out after passing through a narrow opening, showing diffraction.

Front

Wave Interference Noun

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[wayv in-ter-feer-ens]

Back

Wave Interference

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The phenomenon that occurs when two or more waves meet and interact with each other in the same space.

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Example: The image shows how two waves can combine to form larger or smaller waves, illustrating constructive and destructive interference.

Front

Constructive Interference Noun

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[kon-struhk-tiv in-ter-feer-ens]

Back

Constructive Interference

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The interference of two waves that results in a new wave with a larger, combined amplitude.

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Example: Two waves meet and combine to form a larger wave, showing constructive interference.

Front

Destructive Interference Noun

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[di-struhk-tiv in-ter-feer-ens]

Back

Destructive Interference

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The interference of two waves that results in a new wave with a smaller, reduced amplitude.

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Example: Two waves meet and cancel each other out, reducing the wave's size.