TERM 1
Reflection
DEFINITION 1
wave energy bounces off a medium. ex. water lapping
against a shore; sound echo, bats and dolphins use for
locating objects; light, glare on a whindshield or off road,
image in a mirror or still water, fiber optics
TERM 2
Refraction
DEFINITION 2
wave bends when it enters a different medium because wave
changes speed in new medium. ex. water wave front bends
when wave hits shallows; light, prism separates visible
colors; raindrops make rainbows; objects appear closer, and
lenses
TERM 3
Diffraction
DEFINITION 3
wave front bends around edge of obstacle in path because
wave energy spreads out in all directions ex. water waves
lapping against a pier; echo, sound can be heard somewhat
even if not in direct line of door opening; light, edges of
shadows are never completely dark, light coming through a
small pinhole or light appears larger than actual opening
TERM 4
Doppler
DEFINITION 4
frequency of the wave increases upon approach and
frequency decreased upon departure because the wave
source and/or observer is in motion ex. water, boat wakes;
sound, frequency changes when cars approach; light, blue
shift/ red shift of light used to determine relative motion of
stars and galaxies
TERM 5
Interference
DEFINITION 5
amplitude of wave changes and can become much larger or
diminish to zero because waves from two different sources interact
constructively and/or destructively w hen the wave collides ex.
water wave heights at beach vary if waves are generated by two
different sets; sound, some rooms can have poor acoustics with
dead spots, devices to reduce noise u se destructive interference
concept; light, patterns such as oil slic k, patterns in double slit
experiments
