Waves at a Boundary 2
Physics: AQA GCSE Higher, topic 6.2.2
Waves at a Boundary
Waves can be reflected, refracted, absorbed and transmitted (passes through) at the boundary between one medium (material) and another.
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.
Absorption
- When waves meet some materials, the energy is absorbed by the material.
- For example, when light falls on a matt black surface, most of the energy is absorbed.
Transmission
- Waves carry on travelling through a new material.
- This often leads to refraction.
Test yourself on Waves at a Boundary 2
Which of these can happen to a wave at a boundary?
What type of material absorbs the most light?