Reflection of waves (T)

• What are the three possible outcomes when a wave hits a boundary with a different material?

  Reflection, absorption, and transmission
• What happens to a wave when it is transmitted through a material?

  • The wave passes through the material without changing
• What is refraction in the context of waves?

  It is the change in direction of waves when they pass from one material to another
• What happens to the energy of a wave when it is absorbed by a material?

  The wave may not pass through the material at all
• What determines whether a wave is transmitted, absorbed, or reflected at a boundary?

  • The material properties
  • The wavelength of the wave
• How is the angle of incidence related to the angle of reflection?

  The angle of reflection equals the angle of incidence
• How do you construct a ray diagram to illustrate the reflection of a wave at a mirror?

  1. Draw the incident ray striking the mirror
  2. Draw the normal at right angles to the mirror surface
  3. Measure and draw the angle of incidence
  4. Draw the reflected ray, ensuring the angle of reflection equals the angle of incidence
• What is the significance of drawing arrows on incident and reflected rays in a ray diagram?

  They show the direction of both the incident and reflected rays
• How do you determine the position of an image in a mirror using a ray diagram?

  1. Draw an incident ray from the object to the mirror
  2. Draw the normal at right angles to the mirror
  3. Draw the reflected ray
  4. Extend the reflected rays back into the mirror
  5. The intersection of these lines indicates the position of the image