A vertical surface is put in the path of the waves. The waves are reflected from the surface at the same angle as they strike it.
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What is refraction?
A flat piece of plastic makes the water more shallow, which slows the waves down. When waves slow, they change direction.
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What is the wave equation?
Speed = frequency x wavelength
Speed = distance per second - m/s
Frequency = number of oscillations per second - Hz
Wavelength = distance between wavefronts - m
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What is speed? (check)
Distance per second - m/s
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What is frequency? (check)
Number of oscillations per second - Hz
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What is wavelength?
Distance between wavefronts - m
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Explain refraction:
The waves keep oscillating up and down at the same rate (frequency), so when they slow, the wavefronts close up on each other. That follows the wave equation (s = f · w).
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What is diffraction?
The waves bend round the sides of an obstacle, or spread out as they pass through a gap.
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How can diffraction be significant?
If the size of the gap is about the same as the wavelength. Wider gaps produce less diffraction.
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