Asked by Keen
What are three ways that waves interact with matter? 7th grader words
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Waves can do three main things when they meet matter (stuff):
1. Reflection — the wave bounces off.
- Example: Light bounces off a mirror so you can see yourself. Sound bounces off a canyon wall and makes an echo.
2. Absorption — the matter takes in the wave’s energy and the wave gets weaker (often turning into heat).
- Example: A black shirt gets hot in sunlight because it absorbs light. Thick curtains absorb sound and make a room quieter.
3. Transmission (and refraction) — the wave goes through the matter. Sometimes it keeps going straight (transmission); sometimes it bends when it enters a new material (refraction).
- Example: Light goes through glass windows (transmission). A straw looks bent in a glass of water because the light bends when it goes from air into water (refraction).
1. Reflection — the wave bounces off.
- Example: Light bounces off a mirror so you can see yourself. Sound bounces off a canyon wall and makes an echo.
2. Absorption — the matter takes in the wave’s energy and the wave gets weaker (often turning into heat).
- Example: A black shirt gets hot in sunlight because it absorbs light. Thick curtains absorb sound and make a room quieter.
3. Transmission (and refraction) — the wave goes through the matter. Sometimes it keeps going straight (transmission); sometimes it bends when it enters a new material (refraction).
- Example: Light goes through glass windows (transmission). A straw looks bent in a glass of water because the light bends when it goes from air into water (refraction).
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