Physics SL
Physics SL
5
Chapters
329
Notes
Theme A - Space, Time & Motion
Theme A - Space, Time & Motion
Theme B - The Particulate Nature Of Matter
Theme B - The Particulate Nature Of Matter
Theme C - Wave Behaviour
Theme C - Wave Behaviour
Theme D - Fields
Theme D - Fields
Theme E - Nuclear & Quantum Physics
Theme E - Nuclear & Quantum Physics
IB Resources
Theme C - Wave Behaviour
Physics SL
Physics SL

Theme C - Wave Behaviour

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619 words
Reading Time Emoji
4 mins read
Updated at Emoji
Last edited on 5th Nov 2024

Table of content

When waves meet boundaries

  • Waves travel in mediums and like that one person who can't decide what to order at a restaurant, they sometimes can't decide what to do when they hit a boundary!

    • Reflection: Think of a bouncy ball! The wave bounces back into its original medium, keeping its speed.
      • Real-world example: When you look in a mirror, the light waves from objects bounce back to your eyes. That's reflection!
    • Transmission: Like a guest entering a new house, part or all of the wave enters the new medium beyond the boundary, often changing its speed.
      • Real-world example: Wear glasses or sunglasses? When light goes through the lenses, that's transmission!
  • Which one happens? Wave speeds are the bouncers deciding whether waves get reflected or transmitted. 🚦

Wave behavior across boundaries

  • When a wave moves from one medium to another, it's like a car shifting gears. The wave's speed often changes.

    • Effect on Water Wave
      • Picture a beach! 🏖️ Waves come ashore and their speed and appearance change as they move from deep to shallow water.
      • In Figure 5, the waves are:
    • Heading towards a metal strip that's pretending to be a mirror (Reflection).
    • Moving from deep to shallow water (Transmission).
  • Key Takeaways from Figure 5

    • (a) Mirror Moment
      • Wave hits the metal strip and no change in wavelength (distance between wave peaks).
      • Ever seen how the angle you throw a ball at a wall equals the angle it bounces back? Same here! Angle of incidence (i) = Angle of reflection (r). These angles are measured using the "normal", an imaginary line at 90° to the mirror.
    • (b) Shallow Shenanigans
      • Wave moves to shallower water and slows down because of the base friction of the tank. Two major changes
    • Wave gets a bit squished. Wavelength shortens in the shallower water.
    • Wave takes a slight detour and bends at the interface. This bendy behavior is called refraction.

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IB Resources
Theme C - Wave Behaviour
Physics SL
Physics SL

Theme C - Wave Behaviour

Unlock Expert SEO Tips: Boost Your Site Today!

Word Count Emoji
619 words
Reading Time Emoji
4 mins read
Updated at Emoji
Last edited on 5th Nov 2024

Table of content

When waves meet boundaries

  • Waves travel in mediums and like that one person who can't decide what to order at a restaurant, they sometimes can't decide what to do when they hit a boundary!

    • Reflection: Think of a bouncy ball! The wave bounces back into its original medium, keeping its speed.
      • Real-world example: When you look in a mirror, the light waves from objects bounce back to your eyes. That's reflection!
    • Transmission: Like a guest entering a new house, part or all of the wave enters the new medium beyond the boundary, often changing its speed.
      • Real-world example: Wear glasses or sunglasses? When light goes through the lenses, that's transmission!
  • Which one happens? Wave speeds are the bouncers deciding whether waves get reflected or transmitted. 🚦

Wave behavior across boundaries

  • When a wave moves from one medium to another, it's like a car shifting gears. The wave's speed often changes.

    • Effect on Water Wave
      • Picture a beach! 🏖️ Waves come ashore and their speed and appearance change as they move from deep to shallow water.
      • In Figure 5, the waves are:
    • Heading towards a metal strip that's pretending to be a mirror (Reflection).
    • Moving from deep to shallow water (Transmission).
  • Key Takeaways from Figure 5

    • (a) Mirror Moment
      • Wave hits the metal strip and no change in wavelength (distance between wave peaks).
      • Ever seen how the angle you throw a ball at a wall equals the angle it bounces back? Same here! Angle of incidence (i) = Angle of reflection (r). These angles are measured using the "normal", an imaginary line at 90° to the mirror.
    • (b) Shallow Shenanigans
      • Wave moves to shallower water and slows down because of the base friction of the tank. Two major changes
    • Wave gets a bit squished. Wavelength shortens in the shallower water.
    • Wave takes a slight detour and bends at the interface. This bendy behavior is called refraction.

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Dive deeper and gain exclusive access to premium files of Physics SL. Subscribe now and get closer to that 45 🌟

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