THEME 4: Light, Waves & Optic

CHAPTER 5

WAVES
Prepared by: Teacher NurlailieMJ
5.4 REFRACTION OF WAVES
5.4.1 Describe refraction of waves from the following aspects:
a) Angle of incidence (i)
b) Angle of refraction (r)
c) Wavelength, λ
d) Frequency, f
e) Speed, v
f) Direction of propagation

5.4.2 Draw a diagram to show the refraction of waves for two different
depths

5.4.3 Explain natural phenomena of refraction of waves in daily life.

5.4.4 Solve problems involving refraction of waves

Recall your
knowledge....
What is Refraction ?
What are the conditions
for Refraction to occur ?
 From the observation,

Let’s Do Activit a) Compare angle of incidence

& angle of refraction when

y!!! the wave travel from deep to

shallow region.
b) Compare incident
wavelength & refracted
wavelength.
c) Compare the frequency of
incident wave & refracted
wave.
d) From your answer in (b) and
(c), compare the speed of
the wave
Characteristic of Refraction of Wave
Characteristic of Refraction of Wave
How to draw a diagram to show
Refraction of waves
1. Draw an arrowed line
perpendicular to incident
wavefronts to represent the
direction of propagation of
incident wave.
2. Draw normal line at the
2 5 boundary between two areas
i
(at point of incidence)
1 4 r
3 3. Draw the line to represent the
direction of propagation of
the refracted waves.
4. Label the angle of incidence
Deep area Shallow area & angle of refraction (r<i)
5. Draw refracted wavefronts
which is are perpendicular to
the wave direction.
Refraction of Waves

DEFINITION :
A phenomenon where there is a
change of propagation of waves
caused by the change in the velocity
of waves when the waves propagate
from one medium to another..
Phenomena of Refraction of Waves in
Daily Life

1. Work in pairs.
2. Search for information on the natural phenomena
of refraction of waves.
a. Why the waves bend according to the shape
of the shoreline when they are approaching
the beach ?
b. Explain how sound waves are refracted in the
air during the day & at night.
3. Present your findings in the form of an
interesting multimedia presentation.
Refraction of Wave in daily life
Why the waves bend according to the shape
of the shoreline when they are approaching
the beach ?
Explanation
When the water waves approach the
beach, the water is shallower. Refraction
occurs & wave speed decreases. The
wavefronts are refracted & become closer
to each other.

Wavefronts bent towards normal caused

by refraction. This result in the
wavefronts following the shape of the
coast.
Sound waves can be refracted as it moves
through the atmosphere. Explain how sound
waves are refracted in the air during the day &
at night.
Explanation
Sound waves travel faster in warm air
than in cool air.
On a hot day, the hot surface of the earth
of the earth causes the layer of air near the
surface to be warmer.
This causes sound waves to be refracted
away from the earth.
The sound waves travel slower in the
cooler air near the surface of the earth.
This causes the waves refracted towards
the earth.
 Solving Problems

Example 1
A plane wave which has a wavelength of 2 cm and speed of 8 cm s-1
propagates across a shallow region. When the wave enters the deep
region, wave speed becomes 12 cm s-1. Determine the value of the
wavelength in the deep region.

Solution
 Solving Problems

Example 2
Figure shows propagation of water
wave from region P to region Q of
different depths. Speed of the wave
is 18 cm s-1 in region P. Determine
the speed of the wave in region Q.

Solution
Solving Problems