Wave Interaction Flashcards
What are the three types of wave interaction?
Reflection, refraction, diffraction
What is reflection?
Reflection is the ability for a ray to bounce off a reflective surface after they react.
What are 5 key terms in reflection?
Incident ray, reflected ray, angle of incidence, angle of reflection, and a normal.
What is the law of reflection?
The law of reflection states that the incident ray, the reflected ray, and the surface will all be in the same medium. It also states that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.
What is refraction?
Refraction is a wave interaction, where the ray/wave bends, or refracts, when entering a new medium. This is due to the change of speed and mediums.
What are some elements of refraction?
Incident ray, angle of incidence, normal, medium 1, medium 2, angle of refraction, and refracted ray.
What is the law of refraction?
The law of refraction states that if a ray enters a new medium that has a higher refractive index, then the angle of refraction will be less than the angle of incidence, and vice versa
What are the two exceptions for refraction?
1- when the wave enters a new medium at a perpendicular angle, the wave will not refract.
2- if the wave that enters the new medium has the same refractive index, then there will be no change in speed = the wave will not refract.
What is diffraction?
Diffraction is when a wave goes through a barrier/opening that is smaller or equal to the wave length of the wave.
