Refraction and Diffraction

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What happens when waves are refracted?
The waves go through a new material and they change direction
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What happens when waves are diffracted?
The waves 'bend around' obstacles, causing the waves to spread
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In diffraction, what happens to the wavelength and the wave when the gap gets narrower?
The wavelength gets longer and the wave spreads out more
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What should the size of the gap be in order to diffract light?
Light have a very small wavelength, so the gap needs to be very small
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What happens to the wave when the gap is much wider than the wavelength?
There is little to no diffraction
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What happens to the wave when the gap is a bit wider than the wavelength?
Only the edges of the wave diffract
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What happens to the wave when the gap is the same width as the wavelength?
There is maximum diffraction, as the whole wave diffracts
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What happens when light hits the boundary 'face on'?
The light wave carries on in the same direction, but will slow down if the medium is denser. This is because the light wave is travelling along the normal, so the angle of incidence is zero
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What happens when a light wave meets a different medium at an angle?
The light wave changes direction and will also slow down if the medium is denser
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

What happens when waves are diffracted?

Back

The waves 'bend around' obstacles, causing the waves to spread

Card 3

Front

In diffraction, what happens to the wavelength and the wave when the gap gets narrower?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What should the size of the gap be in order to diffract light?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What happens to the wave when the gap is much wider than the wavelength?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
View more cards

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