Interactions of Waves Notes. The four basic wave interactions are reflection, refraction, diffraction, and interference.

Interactions of Waves Notes

The four basic wave interactions are reflection, refraction, diffraction, and interference.

1. Reflection

Reflection is the bouncing back of a wave after it strikes a boundary that does not absorb all the wave’s energy

*The law of reflection states that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.

2. Refraction

Refraction is the bending of waves due to a change in speed

*occurs because waves move at different speeds in different mediums*the bigger the change in speed the more the wave will bend

Click on the Fish to watch a Refraction Video Clip

3. Diffraction

Diffraction is the bending of waves around the edge of an obstacle

Watch a BrainPop on Refraction & Diffraction

4. Interference

Interference is when two or more waves arrive at the same place at the same time

*Waves can combine in two different ways.

A. Constructive Interference - waves combine to make a wave with a larger amplitude. After the waves pass through each other, they continue on as if they had never met

B. Destructive Interference – waves combine to make a wave with a smaller amplitude