Module 3 Part 2: Wave Behaviour Flashcards
when do waves reflect/rebound
at the boundary between media of different densities
what is an echo
a reflected sound that is heard at a later time
what do waves do when they interact with a hard surface
the wave will reflect go under a phase change of 180°
what do waves do when they interact with a soft surface
the wave will be absorbed
what happens when waves interact with any surface
some energy will always be lost, decreasing the amplitude of the reflected wave
what is refaction
the change in direction of a wave
what causes refaction in waves
a change in the waves speed
when does a wave’s speed change
when the wave passes through another medium with a different density
when waves travel through different densities what happens to the wave equation (3)
λ is lowered
v is lowered
F is constant
what is diffraction
the spreading out of waves as it passes through an opening or moves pas a obstacle
what is maximum diffraction
when the aperture is the same width as the wavelength of the incident waves
what is superposition
when two or more waves exists at the same point causing them to interact
what happens to waves in superposition
the displacements of the component waves add to create the displacement resultant wave
what is constructive interference
when waves superpose to form a resultant wave of greater displacement
what is destructive interference
when waves superpose to form a resultant wave of lower displacement
