Wave Interactions

Light waves and sound waves both interact with their surroundings in a number of ways. When they encounter a surface or a new medium (substance), waves can be reflected, refracted, or absorbed. If they bounce off the surface, we say the waves are reflected. The law of reflection states that waves will reflect at the same angle with which they hit a surface.

If a wave passes into or through a new substance, it will refract, or change its angle of motion (bend). This is because waves travel at different speeds through different mediums, so the light or sound will change direction (or "bend") as it speeds up or slows down depending on the substance.

WHY DOES LIGHT "BEND"?

Science of Rainbows

Sometimes, waves are absorbed by a material. When certain wavelengths are absorbed by a substance and others are reflected, it affects the color we see. For example, if red wavelengths are reflected off of a shirt and the other wavelengths are absorbed, our eyes will see the shirt as red.