Properties of Waves

Flashcards covering reflection, transmission, absorption, refraction, diffraction, constructive interference, and destructive interference.

Reflection

When a wave hits a boundary or an obstacle, it bounces back toward the source.

Transmission

When some amount of the waves is not reflected after being hit by a boundary.

Absorption

When waves move through a material, some of their energy is taken in by the atoms or molecules of that material, creating heat and decreasing the wave's energy.

Refraction

A change in a wave’s transmission medium causes a change in the direction of a wave.

Diffraction

The apparent bending of waves when they meet small obstacles and the expansion of waves when they go through narrow openings.

Constructive Interference

Waves that line up with each other everywhere; these waves will add up in amplitude to reinforce each other.

Destructive Interference

Occurs when waves that are out of phase with one another and do not align, causing their amplitudes to decrease or ultimately cancel each other out.