10.4. Waves and Wave Properties http://www.ck12.org
faster than those sound waves farther from the road. The sound waves will therefore refract, as shown inFigure
10.19. In general, waves refract when they pass into a medium where the wave speed is different.
FIGURE 10.18
FIGURE 10.19
Waves Undergo Diffraction
Not only do waves undergo reflection and refraction, but they can also bend around objects and spread through
openings, changing their shape and the direction of their motion (Figure10.20). The bending and spreading of
waves is calleddiffraction. It’s not too difficult to accept that waves are subject to diffraction as they travel around
obstacles or through openings. Consider the fact that you’re able to hear sound through a small opening even when
you’re not in line with the opening or that you’re able to listen to a conversation two people are having around a