Study Guide for Wave Interactions

Diffraction

The bending and spreading of waves when they hit an obstacle. Can you hear me now? - The sound waves from the bell bend around the corner of the hallway and into the classroom. This is because they are diffracted and spread out.

Refraction

The bending of a wave as it enters a new medium. Playing With Prisms - the light shines in from the window onto the prism, but then bends and goes another direction.

Reflection:

The bouncing back of a wave as it meets a surface in which it cannot pass. Sound waves will bounce off hard surfaces like walls. Light waves will bounce off of shiny surfaces such as mirrors. Can you hear me now - The sound of the bell bounces off of the wall and reaches our ears. This is because it reflects off of the hard surface. Then we are able to hear the sound of the bell.

How to see color

The rods and cones detect the color of the light wave frequency, and that sends a signal to our brain.

Absorb

When light waves can't pass through and are taken in with an object. Is that apple red - The red light from the filter absorbs the colors to make them look more red.

Transmit

When light waves move through a material without being absorbed into it. Light can pass and be transmitted through transparent or translucent objects or things. Lasers - Tag You're It - The laser was transmitted through the water because it is a transparent liquid.