Wave Interaction

Wave Interaction

Reflection, Refraction, Diffraction &
Absorption
•When waves encounter different
media, they are either
•reflected
•refracted
•diffracted
•absorbed.

Reflection, Refraction, Diffraction &
Absorption

This means when they go from 1
medium to another medium

Transmission

When waves are transmitted, they
continues through the material.

Multiple Choice

What type of material transmits all of the light?

• Luminous

• Transparent

• Translucent 

• Opaque

Multiple Choice

What type of material does not transmit any light?

• Opaque

• Transparent

• Translucent 

• Luminous

Multiple Choice

What type of material transmits some but not all light?

• transparent

• opaque

• translucent

• Luminous

Reflection

•Reflection: wave bounces off & goes in a different direction

Reflection

•Reflection: wave bounces off & goes in a different direction

Refraction
•Refraction: bending of light as it moves from 1 medium to another

Refraction

A refracted wave is a wave that has changed direction (bent) by
moving from one material to another material of different
density BECAUSE THE LIGHT CHANGES SPEED in the NEW
MEDIUM

Diffraction

Diffraction refers to various phenomena that occur when a wave
encounters an obstacle or opening. It is defined as the bending of
waves around the corners of an obstacle or through an opening

Diffraction

Absorption

In ABSORPTION, the ENERGY of the WAVE is transferred to the material
it encounters

Colors are caused by reflection

Objects appear different colors because they absorb some colors (wavelengths)

and reflected or transmit other colors. The colors we see are the wavelengths

that are reflected or transmitted. ...

White objects appear white because they reflect all colors.

Black objects absorb all colors so no light is reflected.

Absorption

•Absorption: the energy is absorbed by the material

Scattered

Scattering is unique in that the wave energy is generally
deflected in multiple directions that are difficult to predict
or calculate.

Multiple Choice

The bending of a wave as it passes from one medium to another is called

• reflection

• refraction

• diffraction

• interference

Multiple Choice

What is the wave interaction of a wave going through an object?

• Absorption 

• Reflection

• Refraction

• Transmission

Multiple Choice

The bending of waves around a barrier is called 

• reflection

• refraction

• diffraction

• interference

Multiple Choice

The wave interaction responsible for rainbows is 

• diffraction

• interference

• refraction

• reflection

Multiple Choice

What is the wave interaction of a wave taken in by an object?

• Absorption 

• Reflection

• Refraction

• Transmission

Wave Interference

•Constructive Interference: 2 waves of similar size colliding & forming a
wave w/an amplitude greater than either wave

Wave interference

•Destructive Interference: 2 waves of similar size combine to form a
wave with a smaller amplitude than either wave.

Standing Waves

•A wave that appears to stand still because 2 waves are interfering
with each other.

Multiple Choice

When waves overlap, it is referred to as 

• reflection

• refraction

• diffraction

• interference

Multiple Choice

What wave interaction causes the sky to look blue?

• Diffraction

• Refraction

• Scattering

• Absorption

Resonance

•Most object have a natural frequency of vibration
•Standing wave are produced when the object vibrates at 1 of the
natural frequencies
•If a nearby object vibrates with the same frequency, it causes a
RESONANCE (The nearby object begins to vibrate also)

Diffraction

•Waves bending around objects

Diffraction model

Multiple Choice

You can hear sound around a corner because sound waves have long wavelengths and are able to 

• reflect off the building. 

• refract around the building. 

• diffract around the building. 

• interfere around the building. 

Multiple Choice

The bending of light as it travels from one medium into another (such as gas to liquid)

• diffraction

• reflection

• resonance

• refraction

Multiple Choice

The bending of light as it hits a barrier and bounces back

• resonance

• reflection

• diffraction

• refraction

Multiple Choice

Waves are caused by _________ and carry ___________

• energy, vibration

• vibration, energy

• matter, vibration

• vibration, matter

Key Topics

1) Rank the Speed of a mechanical wave in solids, liquids

& gases

2) Rank the speed of EM waves in solids, liquids & gases

3) Compare and contrast transparent, translucent &

opaque

4) Compare and contrast Reflection, refraction,

absorption & diffraction

5) Compare and contrast Constructive interference &

destructive interference

6) Describe a Standing Wave

7) Explain Resonance