Key Differences Between Reflection, Refraction, and Diffraction of Waves

1. Reflection:

   • What it is: Reflection happens when waves bounce off a surface.
   • Rule: The angle that the wave hits the surface is the same as the angle it bounces away. We can write this as: angle in = angle out.
   • Example: Think about how sound waves bounce off a wall.

2. Refraction:

   • What it is: Refraction is when waves change direction as they go into a different material or medium.
   • Rule: There’s a special rule for this called Snell’s Law, but let’s keep it simple: different materials make waves bend.
   • Example: Imagine light bending when it goes from air into water.

3. Diffraction:

   • What it is: Diffraction is when waves spread out after they pass through a small opening or go around something.
   • How it works: The amount that waves spread out gets bigger if the waves are longer compared to the size of the opening.
   • Example: Like how sound waves can bend around a corner.

These different actions depend on what type of wave it is, the properties of the materials they move through, and any barriers they meet.