Unit 5, Section 2: Wave Interactions

Question 1

reflection

Answer 1

occurs when waves bounce back from a surface they cannot pass through

Question 2

refraction

Answer 2

occurs when waves bend in a different direction as they enter a new medium

Question 3

diffraction

Answer 3

the bending or spreading of waves as they move around a barrier or pass through an opening

Question 4

absorption

Answer 4

when the energy of a wave is transferred to the material it encounters

Question 5

interference

Answer 5

the interaction between waves that meet

Question 6

constructive inteference

Answer 6

two waves colliding, and forming a wave with an amplitude GREATER than either of the original waves

Question 7

destructive inteference

Answer 7

two waves colliding, and forming a wave with an amplitude LESSER than either of the original waves

Question 8

standing wave

Answer 8

a wave that appears to stand in one place

Question 9

node

Answer 9

a point on a wave with zero amplitude

Question 10

antinode

Answer 10

a point on a wave with maximum amplitude

Question 11

resonance

Answer 11

an increase in the amplitude of a vibration that occurs when external vibrations match an object’s natural frequency