17.

3 Behavior of Waves

Manarat Jeddah
International School
Academic Year 2021-2022

Prepared By Ms. Sarah Magdy

Our Mission: Maarif’s teams work to create a motivating learning environment which leads to creativity.
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17.3 Behavior of Waves

Week 14

Physics
Topic:
Mechanical waves
Lesson 17.3
Page 508
17.3 Behavior of Waves

Vocabulary KWL Chart

• Reflection
Date: /
• Refraction Subject: Topic:
/2021
• Diffraction
• Interference What I What I What I
• Constructive Know Want Learned
interference to Know
• Destructive Discuss what Discuss one …
Interference you know thing that you
• Standing Wave about our want to know
• Node topic. more about
related to our
• Antinode topic.

17.3 Behavior of Waves

The ripples
visible on the
bottom of the
pool are
caused by light
shining
through
surface waves.
17.3 Behavior of Waves

Reflection

How does reflection change a wave?

Reflection occurs when a wave bounces off a
surface that it cannot pass through.
Reflection does not change the speed or
frequency of a wave, but the wave can be
flipped upside down.

17.3 Behavior of Waves

Refraction
What causes the refraction of a wave when it
enters a new medium?
Refraction is the bending of a wave as it enters
a new medium at an angle.

When a wave enters a medium at an angle,

refraction occurs because one side of the
wave moves more slowly than the other side.
17.3 Behavior of Waves

Refraction Gras Grave

s l
A lawnmower turns
when it is pushed at Left wheel is
still rolling Direction
an angle from the faster on changes.
grass onto the grass.
gravel.
The wheel on the
gravel slows down,
but the other wheel is Mower pivots
still moving at a because the right
wheel moves
faster speed on the more slowly
grass. when it reaches
gravel.

17.3 Behavior of Waves

Refraction
As an ocean wave
approaches the
shore at an angle,
the wave bends,
or refracts,
because one side
of each wave front
slows down before
the other side
does.
17.3 Behavior of Waves

Refraction
An ocean wave refracts as it flows into a shallow
area.
• The shallower water can be considered a new medium.
• As one side of each wave enters shallower water before
the other, that side slows down and the wave bends.
• If a wave front is parallel to the shoreline, the wave
enters the shallower water all at once, and there is no
refraction.

17.3 Behavior of Waves

Diffraction
What factors affect the amount of diffraction
of a wave?
Diffraction is the bending of a wave as it moves
around an obstacle or passes through a narrow
opening.
A wave diffracts more if its wavelength is
large compared to the size of an opening or
obstacle.
 17.3 Behavior of Waves

Diffraction
Water waves spread out as they pass through a
narrow opening.
• The pattern produced is very similar to the circular ripples
you see when a pebble is tossed into a pond.
• Diffraction also occurs when waves bend around an
obstacle.
• The larger the wavelength is compared to the size of the
opening or obstacle, the more the wave diffracts.

17.3 Behavior of Waves

Diffraction
A. This wave diffracts, or spreads out, after it
passes through a narrow opening.
B. Diffraction also occurs when a wave
encounters an obstacle.
17.3 Behavior of Waves

Interference

What are two types of interference?

Interference occurs when two or more waves
overlap and combine together.

Two types of interference are constructive

interference and destructive interference.

17.3 Behavior of Waves

Interference
When waves collide, they can occupy the same
region of space and then continue on.
• Constructive interference occurs when two or more
waves combine to produce a wave with a larger
displacement.
• Destructive interference occurs when two or more
waves combine to produce a wave with a smaller
displacement.
17.3 Behavior of Waves

Interference
Constructive Interference
Two waves with equal
frequencies travel in
opposite directions.
When a crest meets a
crest, the result is a wave
with an increased
amplitude.

17.3 Behavior of Waves

Interference
Destructive Interference
Two waves with equal
frequencies travel in
opposite directions.
When a crest meets a
trough, the result is a wave
with a reduced amplitude.
17.3 Behavior of Waves

Standing Waves

What wavelengths will produce a standing

wave?
A standing wave is a wave that appears to stay
in one place—it does not seem to move through
the medium.

A standing wave forms only if half a

wavelength or a multiple of half a
wavelength fits exactly into the length of a
vibrating cord.

17.3 Behavior of Waves

Standing Waves
Interference occurs as the incoming waves
pass through the reflected waves.
At certain frequencies, interference between
a wave and its reflection can produce a
standing wave.
17.3 Behavior of Waves

Standing Waves
A node is a point on a standing wave that
has no displacement from the rest position.
At the nodes, there is complete destructive
interference between the incoming and
reflected waves.
An antinode is a point where a crest or
trough occurs midway between two nodes.

17.3 Behavior of Waves

Standing Waves
These photos show
standing waves for two
different frequencies.
A. One wavelength
equals the length of the
cord.
B. Two wavelengths
equal the length of the
cord.
 17.3 Behavior of Waves

Assessment Questions

1. The property of waves bending as they pass

through a narrow opening is called
a. reflection.
b. refraction.
c. diffraction.
d. destructive interference.

ANS: C

17.3 Behavior of Waves

Assessment Questions

1. When does refraction of a wave occur?

a. The wave cannot enter the new medium.
b. The wave enters a new medium at any angle.
c. The wave enters a new medium at any angle except
90°.
d. Part of the wave enters a new medium and part is
reflected.
ANS: C
 17.3 Behavior of Waves

Assessment Questions

1. A 6-meter rope is tied to a hook in the wall.

Which of the following wavelengths can produce a
standing wave?
a. 1.5 m
b. 2.5 m
c. 3.5 m
d. 4.5 m

ANS: A

17.3 Behavior of Waves

Assessment Questions

1. The amount of diffraction of a wave increases as

the size of the obstacle causing the diffraction
decreases.

True
False

ANS: T
17.3 Behavior of Waves

Do you have any questions?

Start solving assessment
questions on Page 512
END OF LESSON 17.3