Wave Reflection Absorption and Transmittance MS-PS4-2

Diffraction

The bending of waves when they pass around a barrier or through an opening is called diffraction. It's like when water waves bend around a rock in a pond.

Echo

A reflected sound wave. Echo. An echo is when sound waves bounce off a surface and return to your ears, so you hear the sound again.

Law of reflection

States that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection. Law of reflection. The law of reflection explains that when light hits a surface, it bounces off at the same angle it arrived.

Opaque

A material that does not let any light pass through. Opaque. An opaque object blocks light completely, so you can't see through it at all.

Reflection

The bouncing of light, sound, or heat waves off a surface. Reflection. When light, sound, or heat waves hit a surface and bounce back, it's called reflection.

Refraction

The bending of light when it passes from one substance into another. Refraction. Refraction is when light changes direction as it moves from one material to another, like from air to water, making objects look bent or broken.

Translucent

Allows some light to pass through but scatters it. Translucent. A translucent object lets some light in but not clear details, like a frosted glass window.

Transparent

Allows light to pass through. Transparent. Transparent means that you can see through something because it lets light pass through it.