Wave Behaviour Flashcards
What word is used to describe when a wave bounces off a surface ?
Reflection
What occurs when light is reflected off a boundary?
It bounces off a smooth flat surface so that the angle of incidence is the same as the angle of
reflection.
explain reflection
waves will reflect off a flat surface
the smoother the surface the stronger the reflected wave is
angle of incidence=angle of reflection
light won’t reflect if the object is opaque
What is the normal ?
A vertical imaginary line which is perpendicular to the boundary.
What is refraction ?
Waves passing from one medium to another ?
How can we measure refraction ?
By measuring and comparing the angle of incidence and angle of refractions
What occurs when light is refracted at a boundary?
The light changes speed and direction in the new medium
If the new medium is more dense, the light will travel slower and bend towards the normal
If the new medium is less dense, the light will travel faster and bend away from the normal
What is meant by a medium
the substance or material that the waves is travelling through
What happens when a light waves enters a denser material ?
The lights waves slow down and bends towards the normal
What happens when a light wave enters a less dense material ?
The light wave speed up and bends away from the
normal.
explain transmission
waves will pass through a transparent material
the more transparent-the more light will pass through the material
what is absorption
the light will be absorbed by the electrons
if material appears green only green light has been reflected
and the rest of the frequencies in visible light have been absorbed
