4.3 Refraction of waves 4/9 Flashcards
(18 cards)
What is refraction of waves?
A change in the direction of waves as they pass from one medium to another
What causes refraction?
A change in speed of the wave and therefore a change in the wavelength
Do all types of waves refract?
Yes, all waves refract
Does refraction occur when a wave hits a new medium straight on?
No refraction will occur.
But the wave WILL slow down.
When does refraction occur?
When a wave hits the new medium at an angle
What factor affects the speed of water waves?
The depth of the water
When do water waves travel fastest?
When the water is deepest
What happens to a water wave when it travels from deep water to shallow water?
It slows down and the wavelength decreases
Fill in the blank: Refraction occurs due to a change in _______.
speed of the wave
True or False: Refraction only occurs in light waves.
False
What is the formula for the wave equation?
v = λf
Where v is the velocity, λ is the wavelength, and f is the frequency.
What happens to the frequency of water waves when they pass from a deep area to a shallow area?
The frequency does not change.
What happens to the velocity of water waves when they move from a deep area to a shallow area?
The velocity decreases.
When the velocity of water waves decreases, what must happen to the wavelength?
The wavelength must decrease.
Fill in the blank: When water waves move to the shoreline, the _____ does not change.
[frequency]
When waves change direction when passing from one medium to another, this is called
Refraction
As a wave passes into a new medium where the wave speed is greater, what happens to the wavelength?
It increases
The frequency will remian constant once the wave leaves the source.
What does this diagram show?
The wavelength and speed of surface waves in water DECREASE when they hit SHALLOW WATER.
This causes REFRACTION
The speed of surface waves on water is affected by the DEPTH of the water. Water waves travel fastest when the water is deepest. So when a water wave travels from deep water to shallow water it slows down. The wavelength then decreases and the wave bends.
