Practice: Wave Interactions/Behavior

Front

What is diffraction?

Back

Diffraction is the spreading out of waves as they pass through an opening or around objects.

Front

What type of wave behavior occurs when waves meet and combine to form a larger wave?

Back

Constructive interference.

Front

What type of wave behavior occurs when waves meet and cancel each other out?

Back

Destructive interference.

Front

What is the term for the bending of waves as they pass from one medium to another?

Back

Refraction.

Front

What phenomenon causes the sky to appear blue?

Back

Scattering of light.

Front

What is reflection in terms of wave behavior?

Back

Reflection is the bouncing back of waves when they hit a barrier.

Front

What is the difference between constructive and destructive interference?

Back

Constructive interference occurs when waves are in phase and combine to increase amplitude, while destructive interference occurs when waves are out of phase and cancel each other out.

Front

What is the principle of superposition in wave interactions?

Back

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

Front

What is absorption in wave behavior?

Back

Absorption is the process by which a wave's energy is taken up by the medium it travels through, converting it to other forms of energy.

Front

What is the term for the change in direction of waves when they encounter an obstacle?

Back

Diffraction.