Wave Interactions

Wave Interactions

Now you will be introduced to different wave interactions. View the wave interactions presentation to also learn to distinguish among the different types of wave interactions and to predict several properties of these interactions.

View a printable version of the interactivity.

 

 

Refraction

This animation from the University of Toronto shows two different ways of seeing refraction as waves pass from one medium into another.  As the waves enter a new medium and slow down, the refraction causes the direction of motion to bend away from the medium boundary and towards the normal.  As the waves speed up upon returning to the original medium, their direction again changes, bending away from the normal and towards the medium boundary. The frequency of the waves remains the same, since frequency depends on the source of the waves, so if the velocity decreases, the wavelength must decrease as well, and when the velocity again increases, the wavelength increases. Notice that the path of the wave returns to its original direction when it passes back into the original medium.

• slower speed = shorter wavelength
• faster speed = longer wavelength

 

Wave Interactions Practice

Now that you are familiar with wave interactions, you will answer the following questions. After selecting your answer to each question, click submit.