Reflection When a wave comes to the end of the medium it

is traveling in, it is partially reflected back.

Refraction

• When a wave crosses a boundary between mediums and its velocity changes as a result, the transmitted wave may move in a different direction than the incident wave (“bent”).

Diffraction

• Process of waves bending around obstacles

Interference

• When two waves pass through the same region of space at the same time. The resultant displacement is always the sum of the separate (component) displacements.

Constructive Interference:Add Together

Destructive Interference: Cancel Each Other Out

Constructive vs. Destructive

Two Waves in Phase Two Waves 180° Out of Phase

CombinedWaveform

Wave 1

Wave 2