The Behavior of Waves

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/High_School_Chemistry/Schrodinger's_Wave_Functions

The Behavior of Waves1. Reflection

a) When an object or wave hits a surface through which it cannot pass, it bounces back.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Pmdn-m7KMac/T1FVqaCM33I/AAAAAAAABeI/FE1BUqsPU2Y/s300/reflection-laws.gif

The Behavior of Waves

b) Examples:1) Light – light

strikes your face and is reflected into a mirror, then the light reflects off the mirror into your eyes

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8EJYbBRQ5hk/TsQtqx8yxJI/AAAAAAAACdk/HeLjkqxjol8/s1600/01-mirrors-exhibit-female-photographer.jpg

The Behavior of Wavesb) Examples:

2) Sound – an echo occurs when sound reflects off of another surface

http://images.clipartof.com/small/439661-Royalty-Free-RF-Clip-Art-Illustration-Of-A-Cartoon-Man-Shouting-At-Echo-Point.jpg

The Behavior of Waves

c) The Law of Reflection – the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection

http://spaceguard.rm.iasf.cnr.it/tumblingstone/dictionary/img/reflection.gif

The Behavior of Waves2. Refraction

a) When a wave enters a new medium at an angle, one side of the wave changes speed before the other side, causing the wave to bend.

https://chemicalparadigms.wikispaces.com/file/view/65018453.JPG/33790803/65018453.JPG

The Behavior of Wavesb) Refraction at the

water surface gives the "broken pencil" effect. Submerged objects always appear to be shallower than they are because the light from them changes angle at the surface, bending downward toward the water.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A2usIgOI_58/T1Ta7tz11sI/AAAAAAAAAIc/87j1YdamCxE/s1600/Water-Refraction.jpg

The Behavior of Waves

3. Diffractiona) When a wave moves around a barrier or through an opening in a barrier, it bends and spreads out.

http://spaceguard.rm.iasf.cnr.it/tumblingstone/dictionary/optic.htm

The Behavior of Wavesb) Another example of

diffraction is when sound bends around the edge of a corner and you can hear it. Light waves have a much shorter wavelength. That is why you can hear something even when you can’t see it.

http://www.schoolphysics.co.uk/age11-14/Sound/text/Refraction_of_sound/index.html

The Behavior of Waves

4. Interferencea) When two or more waves overlap and combine to form a new wave.

http://sheluvsgod.xanga.com/721462885/when-interference-stops-you-from-being-tuned-into-god---pt-1/

The Behavior of Wavesb. Constructive Interference – when

interference occurs and the new wave that forms is equal to the sum of the amplitudes of the original waves. (ex: the sound would get louder)

http://library.thinkquest.org/19537/Physics5.html

The Behavior of Waves

c. Destructive Interference – when interference occurs and the waves subtract from each other as they interact. (ex: the sound decreases in loudness)

http://library.thinkquest.org/19537/Physics5.html

http://jessicajin-sph3u.blogspot.com/2011/01/constructive-and-destructive-wave.html

The Behavior of Waves5. Resonance

a) When an object vibrates by absorbing energy at its natural frequencies

1) Every object has its own resonant frequency – you hear this when you tap on glass for example

2) When a singer produces the exact frequency of the glass, it will vibrate. If the glass vibrates enough, it will shatter.