WAVE REFLECTION, REFRACTION AND Physical Science 20

DEFRACTION
 WAVE REFLECTION
The direction of waves can be shown using ray diagrams (like light ray diagrams)
A ray is a line drawn at a right angle to the crest of a wave.
The ray shows the direction of the wave, not the wave itself.
Normal – line perpendicular to the barrier
Incident ray – direction of incoming wave
Reflected ray – direction of reflected wave
Angle of incidence- angle between incident ray and the normal
Angle of reflection- angle between reflected ray and the normal
Law of reflection- The angle of incidence = The angle of reflection
 EXAMPLES:
1. When water strikes a barrier straight on,
waves are reflected back along the same path

2. When incident waves strike a barrier at an

angle, they reflect off at the same angle

3. When incident waves strike a parabolic

surface, the waves reflect back to a focal point
Interesting point: The opposite is true too. If a circular
wave hit a parabolic barrier the reflected waves would be
straight.
 WAVE REFRACTION
Wave refraction - The bending of a wave front (changing direction
of a wave) when it passes from one medium to another.
Refraction causes a change in speed and wavelength of the waves.
 Ex: water waves travel faster in deep water than shallow water. If a wave
moves from deep water to shallow water, the wave slows down, there is a
decrease in wavelength and the direction changes.
Formula to calculate velocity or wavelength change:
REFRACTION
Waves bend toward a normal when they enter a slower medium

Waves bend away from the normal when entering a faster

medium
WAVE DIFFRACTION
Wave Diffraction – The bending of waves when they pass through
small openings or edges.
How much they are diffracted depends on:
1. Their wavelength. Shorter wavelengths diffract less. Longer
wavelengths diffract more.

2. Size of the opening. The smaller the opening, the greater the
diffraction