Waves: Definition and Wave Essay

Submitted By Krod325
Words: 699
Pages: 3

Emily George, Priya Khosla, Kyle Rodriguez, Henry Zhang
Period 11
April 16, 2015 Reflection (Analysis on lined paper) Definitions:
Reflection:
When a ray hits a barrier and there is a change in direction.
Barrier:
A source of discourse that changes the direction of an incoming wave and does not allow it to keep on going.
Wavefront:
A line in the path of a wave or a line parallel to the wave at the crest.
Incident Ray: A ray perpendicular to the wave that is in the direction that the wave is going.
This ray strikes the surface.
Reflected Ray:
The ray that results after the incident Ray strikes the surface.
Normal Line: Makes an even angle between the incident and reflected ray. It is perpendicular to the focal point where the ray strikes.
Angle of Incidence: The angle between the incident ray and the normal line.
Angle of Reflection: The angle between the reflected ray and the normal line.
Concave:
A rounded lens that can be used a barrier. Concaves usually have a "C" shape.
Pulse:
A disturbance that moves through a medium and causes waves.
Converge:
The coming together of two things. Refraction
Part1:
1.
Angle of incidence

Angle of refraction

30

7

35

20

2. There is no noticeable correlation between the angle of incidence and the angle of refraction. 3. The waves bend towards the normal when the waves go from deep to shallow water.
4. Upon observation, the spacing between the wavefronts decreased when the waves passed through water (deep to shallow). The speed of the wave has to decrease if the frequency stays the same.
5. The waves on a beach must have a decreasing speed as they get closer to the shore.
According to the above observations, the waves should go towards the normal when the water gets more shallow.
Part 2:
1. The waves arc to meet the extruding part of the convex barrier.
2. The waves form a circular pattern in the dip of the concave barrier. Definition:
1. Amplitude­ The amplitude of a wave is the distance from equilibrium and the max or min displacement

Emily George, Priya Khosla, Kyle Rodriguez, Henry Zhang
Period 11
April 16, 2015 2. Frequency­
The number of cycles occurring per second or the inverse of the period
(T).
3. Medium­
The substance or material that contains the wave.
4. Plane Waves­
Plane waves occur when all the potential variables are constant
(frequency, wavelength, amplitude).
5. Refraction­
The change in direction of a wave passing from one medium to another which causes a speed change.
6. Convex­
A figure with a dip in its surface, or a surface with a curve on the inside of the object. (Analogy­ the inside of the letter ‘‘C’’). Diffraction 1. The general shape of the wave before