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Waves

Refraction

Any type of wave can be refracted, which means a change of direction.
We shall look at the refraction of
Water Waves, Light Waves and Waves from Earthquakes.

Refraction can occur when the speed of a wave changes,
as it moves from one environment to another.
After refraction, the wave has the same frequency
but a different speed, wavelength and direction.

When a wave enters a new environment,
its change in speed will also change its wavelength
(see the definition of wavelength).

If the wave enters the new environment at any angle
other than normal to the boundary,
then the change in the wave's speed will also change its direction.
This is most easily shown with water waves.

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Copyright © 2007 Dr. Colin France. All Rights Reserved.