SS2 Third Term Physics Lesson Note – Properties of Waves

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WEEK 3

TOPIC:  PROPERTIES OF WAVES

CONTENTS

1. Reflection and refraction of waves
2. . Interference, diffraction and polarization of waves
3. Progressive and stationary waves

Subtopic 1: Reflection and Refraction of waves

Reflection occurs in waves when they encounter an obstacle and are made to propagate in the opposite direction as shown in the diagram below

Reflection also occurs in sound and light waves. Sound heard after reflection of sound waves is called an echo.

Refraction of waves

Refraction occurs when the wave is made to travel through two media of different densities. Refraction is the change in the speed and direction of the waves as they cross the boundary between two media of different densities. The incident angle ( i ) is the angle the direction of the incident wave front makes with the normal ( N ) at the boundary surface. The angle of refraction (r) is the angle the direction of the refracted ray makes with the normal ( N) to the plane boundary.

The refractive index ₁n₂ of medium 1 with respect to medium 2 is given as

₁n₂ = Speed of wave in medium 1/Speed of wave in medium 2

If the waves pass from deep water to shallow water, the refractive index is given as

₁n₂     = Speed in deep water/Speed in shallow water

The refractive index ₁n₂ is also given as

₁n₂

Subtopic 2.  Interference, diffraction and polarization of waves

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