CQ2

=When a waves moves from one medium into another, what happens to its velocity, frequency and wavelength?=

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Please explain which characteristics of the wave change and how and why they change. How do the medium’s characteristics affect the wave? Use terms from our definitions in your explanation and relate the topic to our study of waves.

by Katie Krauss and Dayna King

Any wave can be described by three properties or characeteristics: wavelength, frequency, and amplitude. The distance between any two adjacent wave crests is known as the wavelength of the wave. The number of wave crests that pass a given point per unit of time is known as the frequency of the wave. The highest point reached by a wave above its average height is known as the amplitude of the wave. Two kinds of waves most commonly encountered are sound waves and electromagnetic waves. Electromagnetic radiation includes a wide variety of kinds of energy, including visible light, ultraviolet light, infrared radiation, X rays, gamma rays, radar, microwaves, and radio waves.

Once a wave has reached the end of a medium, part of the energy is transferred to the medium that is immediately next to it (transmitted wave) and part is reflected backward. The energy transferred depends on the difference between the mediums. If there is a significant difference, almost all the energy will be reflected. If the mediums are similar, most of the energy will be transferred. However, the reflected waves will be inverted if the medium that comes next is more dense or it won't be inverted if the medium is less dense.


 * When a wave moves from one medium to the next the velocity and wavelength will change because of the new medium. The frequency on the other hand will not change.