Unit 15 Summary Sheet

Term Definition Student Notes

Superposition When two or more waves traveling
through a medium meet at a point
they will interfere with each other.
This is superposition.
Constructive Interference When two waves superimpose and
the resultant wave is additive
(larger) this is constructive
interference.
Destructive Interference When two waves superimpose and
the resultant wave cancelled this is
destructive interference.
Standing Waves Standing Waves can occur when a
wave reflects between two
boundaries.
Nodes Fixed points in standing waves are
called nodes.
Anti-nodes Points where a standing wave is at
its amplitude are called anti-nodes.
Wave boundaries Wave boundaries can be fixed or
free. Fixed boundaries cause a
wave 180o reflection. Free
boundaries do not have any
reflection.
Harmonic Series Music Strings can only resonate at certain
frequencies.

Law of Reflection Reflection happens when a wave or

particle reaches a boundary between
two different media (materials) and
returns into the original medium.

Specular Reflection Specular Reflection occurs at mirror

like surfaces.

Diffuse Reflection Uneven surfaces will reflect, this

reflection is called a diffuse
reflection, and does not result in a
clear image.

Index of Refraction The index of refraction of a material

is the ration of the speed of light in
a vacuum to the speed of light
through the material.

Refraction Refraction describes the change of

 direction of a wave as it moves from
one medium to another. It happens
when a wave reaches a boundary
between two different media and
passes through into the new
medium.
Law of Refraction or “Snell’s The law of refraction, or “Snell’s
Law” Law,” in equation form is

Where n1 is the refractive index for

Critical Angle
Total Internal Reflection
the incident ray and n2 is the
refractive index for the refracted
ray.
When the refracted angle equals 90o,
the incident angle is called the
critical angle, θc.
If the incident angle is greater than
the critical angle, all the light is
reflected. This is called total internal
reflection.

Comprehension Set #1

1) Can you see interference if there is only one wave?

a) Yes b) No

2) Can standing waves can have any wavelength?

a) Yes b) No

3) Draw the result of the superposition of the

following two waves.
Example - Set #2
The speed of a wave on a particular string is 24 m/s. If the string is 6.0 m long, at what frequencies is it able
to resonate? Draw a picture of the string for the first three resonance frequencies.

Comprehension Set #3

1) Diffuse reflection results in clear images.

a) True b) False

2) If an incident ray hits the following mirrored surface, and what

angle to the surface will the ray be reflected off the mirror?

a) 41o b) 45o c) 49o

3) If light moves from ethanol (n=1.361) to air (n = 1.000) at an angle of 22o? What is the angle of
refraction?

a)31o b) 22o c) 51o

4) In question 3 above, if the angle of incidence was 70o, will some the light refract into the air, or will it
undergo total internal reflection?