Waves Reflect.

Notes

REFLECTION OF WAVES

Reflection is defined as phenomenon of the bouncing back of wave energy that occurs when a
wave strikes a reflecting surface

A Wavefront is defined as an imaginary line which joins a set of particles which are in phase (in
step) in a wave motion.

A wavefront is commonly referred as just a wave.

We shall represent wavefronts

Plane parallel waves reflected from a Plane Boundary/Reflector Barrier

When plane (straight) parallel wavefronts encounter (meet) with a plane barrier they do so in
accordance with the laws of reflection

Figure [J] shows a set of plane parallel wavefronts striking a plane reflecting surface.

It can be seen that the incident wavefronts make an angle i with the reflector (a plane barrier)
and the reflected wavefronts an equal angle r with the reflector as they leave.

It can also be seen that the direction of the incident wave, the direction of the reflected wave and
the normal to the reflector (a plane barrier) at the point of incidence P are all in the same plane.

 Remember the ray direction is always perpendicular to the wavefronts.

 The

Normal

i r

i r

reflector (plane boundary / barrier)

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 Waves Reflect. Notes

Incident waves Plane Reflector

normal r

Both incident of and reflected wavefronts

Are plane and have a equal spacings

Both kinds of wavefronts have the same

Speed and wavelength reflected waves

DIFFRACTION OF WAVES

Diffraction is defined as the sideways spreading of a wavefront(s) as it goes past an edge or

through a narrow gap (also called an aperture).

Plane wavefronts advancing parallel to the opening spread sideways when they go beyond it. The
factors that determine the amount of spreading (or the angle of diffraction) are :

1. The width of the opening d

2. The wavelength of the wave, λ

The amount of diffraction experienced by the wavefronts is determined by the ratio:

Wavelength of waves = λ

Width of the opening d

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 Waves Reflect. Notes

 NB - The spacing of the wavefronts is the wavelength of the wave

Barrier

WIDE GAP

Plane Incident wavefronts plane Wavefronts with a slight

Curvature at the edge

Barrier

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 Waves Reflect. Notes

NARROW GAP

Plane Incident wavefronts Circular Wavefronts produced which Spread

out in all directions

Why do the wavefronts become more and more circular as the amount of diffraction increases?

When diffracted, the rays bend on passing

Plane wavefronts advancing parallel to the aperture (an opening) spread laterally (sideways)
when they go beyond.

INTERFERENCE OF WAVES

Interference is the name given to the effects which occur when two separate wavetrains overlap.

Wavefronts never ever bump into each other but in actuality pass through each other and merge
(or combine) their effects.

A classic instance of this is when a band or orchestra of instruments are played together the
different sound waves combine or merge into a singular sound.

The ability of wavefronts to combine together is known as the principle of superposition of

waves.