Behavior of Waves

reflection

The bouncing back of a wave when it hits a surface through which it cannot pass.

echo

a reflected sound wave

incident beam

incoming beam from a light source.

reflected beam

the beam that is reflected off of a surface.

law of reflection

the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection

refraction

The bending of a wave as it passes at an angle from one medium to another

diffraction

The bending of a wave as it moves around an obstacle or passes through a narrow opening

radio waves

Electromagnetic waves with the longest wavelengths and lowest frequencies

AM waves

bounce off the ionosphere at night creating a bounce back effect that allows signals to be heard far away

interference

the combination of two or more waves that results in a single wave

constructive interference

The interference that occurs when two waves combine to make a wave with a larger amplitude

destructive interference

The interference that occurs when two waves combine to make a wave with a smaller amplitude

complete destructive interference

when two waves completely cancel each other out

standing wave

a pattern of vibration that simulates a wave that is standing still

node

A point on a standing wave that has no displacement from the rest position

antinode

A point of maximum amplitude on a standing wave

resonance

the process by which an object is made to vibrate by absorbing energy at its natural frequencies

seismic wave

a wave of energy that travels through the Earth, away from an earthquake in all directions

p wave

A type of seismic wave that compresses and expands the ground.

s wave

A type of seismic wave that moves the ground up and down or side to side