Wave Phenomena

resonance

• occurs when the sound produced by one object causes another to vibrate, making a louder sound

• is the phenomenon where sound waves are absorbed by materials

• is the process of sound traveling through a vacuum

• is the reflection of sound waves off surfaces

standing waves

• when two waves combine and look like they are standing still, but are not

• waves that travel in the same direction and reinforce each other

• waves that are completely out of phase and cancel each other

• waves that are reflected back and forth in a confined space

absorption

• when a wave transmits its energy to a medium

• the reflection of a wave off a surface

• the bending of a wave as it passes through different mediums

• the scattering of a wave in multiple directions

reflection

• occurs when a wave bounces back after hitting a surface

• is the process of light being absorbed by a material

• happens when waves pass through a medium without any change

• is the bending of waves as they enter a different medium

refraction

• the bending of waves as they pass through a medium

• the reflection of light off a surface

• the absorption of sound in a material

• the scattering of particles in a gas

constructive interference

• when the crest and trough of waves meet and combine to form one larger wave

• when two waves cancel each other out completely

• when waves travel in opposite directions without interaction

• when waves overlap and create a standing wave pattern

destructive interference

• when two waves combine to form a larger wave with higher amplitude

• when the crest of one wave meets the trough of another wave resulting in a smaller wave with lower amplitude

• when waves travel in opposite directions and cancel each other out

• when waves are in phase and reinforce each other

diffraction

• occurs when a wave changes direction or bends when it hits an obstacle

• is the reflection of waves off a surface

• is the absorption of waves by a medium

• is the transmission of waves through a medium

the doppler effect

• the change in frequency of a wave as the source of the wave is in motion

• the increase in amplitude of a wave as it travels through a medium

• the reflection of waves off a surface causing a change in direction

• the absorption of waves by a medium leading to a decrease in energy