3.2.1

Changing Wave Motion

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Changing Wave Motion

A wave’s direction of motion can be changed in the following ways. All waves (including electromagnetic and sound waves) can be changed by these processes.

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Refraction

  • A wave’s speed can change when moving from one medium to another.
  • If the wave crosses to the new medium at an angle (not 90 degrees), the change in the wave’s speed will cause the direction of the wave’s motion to change and the wave will appear to bend.
  • This is called refraction.
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Reflection

  • Reflection happens when a wave hits a flat surface (plane) and bounces off.

Jump to other topics

1Forces & Motion

1.1Basics of Motion

1.2Forces

1.3Effects of Forces

1.4Stopping Distance

1.5Forces & Elasticity

2Electricity

3Waves

4Energy Resources & Energy Transfers

5Solids, Liquids & Gases

6Magnetism & Electromagnetism

7Radioactivity & Particles

8Astrophysics

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