Reflection, Refraction, and Diffraction of Waves
Name: ____________________ Period: _____ Date: ________ The purpose of this webquest is to explain how reflection, refraction, and diffraction change a wave’s direction. Part 1 ­ Reflection 1. Read the L
ight waves and rules of reflection at http://www.s­cool.co.uk/gcse/physics/properties­of­waves/revise­it/reflection­of­waves 2. What is reflection? Reflection occurs when light bounces off a surface. 3. Rule 1 is also known as the Law of Reflection. Explain the Law of Reflection. The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection. The light bounces off the surface at the same angle that it hits the surface. 4. Draw a diagram that shows how the Law of Reflection works. Part 2 ­ Refraction and Diffraction 1. View the BrainPop refraction and diffaction video at https://www.brainpop.com/science/energy/refractionanddiffraction/ and answer the following questions (username: highland70, password: hornets). 2. Refraction a. What is refraction? Refraction occurs when light bends as it moves through a new substance. Ex: changing from air to water. b. Why does refraction occur? Because light changes speed when it travels through materials with different densities. c. What is the angle of refraction? The angle of refraction measures the amount that light bends when it refracts. Different colors of light have different angles of refraction. d. What causes rainbows? They occur when all the colors of light refract at different angles through water droplets. 3. Diffraction a. What is diffraction? This is the bending and spreading of waves, usually around an obstacle. b. How does diffraction enable somebody to hear your voice from anywhere in the room? Because sound waves spread out rather than following a straight line, somebody can hear my voice from anywhere in the room. c. What are some uses of diffraction? X­rays of our bones are formed from diffraction of waves Part 3 ­ Examples and Applications Research and identify 3 good examples or applications of reflection, refraction, and diffraction that have not already been addressed. Briefly explain the example or application and include the web address for each example. Reflection Web Address 1) 2) 3) Refraction Web Address 1) 2) 3) Diffraction Web Address 1) 2) 3) Part 4 ­ Reflection Game 1. Go to http://www.laservex.com/ 2. Click Sign In at the top right and makeup a school appropriate username that doesn’t use any of your personal information. 3. Click the orange Play icon and select Level 1 (skip the example) 4. The goal is to adjust the mirror(s) so that the laser hits all the black dots. a. The mirrors can be moved by clicking and dragging the mirror. b. The mirrors can also be rotated or extended by selecting the mirror and the moving the yellow dots at the end of the mirror. 5. Remember to apply your understanding of Law of Reflection!