Reflection_Refraction_DiffractionLab

Reflection, Refraction, and Diffraction Lab The purpose of this lab is to investigate wave interactions. Below are various procedures that you will conduct for this lab. In addition to carrying out the procedures, you need to write a formal lab report. Use the information below to help guide you through writing your lab report. 1. Write an introduction paragraph related to wave interactions. Include information about the different ways that waves can interact and why they interact. You can also include any experiences you have had with wave interactions such as echoes. Introduction Paragraph: Waves can interact with each other in many ways. Whether its sound waves spreading around a wall, or light waves from the sun, reflecting off metal table, waves are going to interact. Reflection waves occur when waves bounce back after hitting something they cannot pass through. Refraction waves happen when waves bend due to entering a new medium, or substance. Diffraction is another wave interaction and occurs when waves spread around obstacles. Finally, interference occurs when mediums pass through the same place at the same time. 2. Procedures. Procedure 1: Tennis Ball Angles Materials Needed: tennis ball, wall, masking tape, meter stick or protractor. 1. Sit on the floor and roll a tennis ball toward a wall directly in front of you. Mark this line as the normal line as this will serve as your reference. (Note: it should be perpendicular to the wall.) 2. Roll the ball at increasing angles to the normal line. Measure the angle you will release the ball from the normal line (Angle of Incidence) and measure the angle the ball bounces off the wall (Angle of Reflection). The best way to measure is to use a protractor so you can measure the angle. However, if you do not have a protractor then use a meter stick or ruler to measure the distance from where you released the ball to the normal line and then from the normal line to where the ball reflected. It is important that you measure at the same spot so that your measurement will be an accurate representation of the angle. Look at the picture below for a visual explanation. 3. Record measurements in the data table below. Repeat procedure more times from various angles. Bounce Number Angle of Incidence Angle of Reflection 1 0 degree 0 degree 2 Positive 15 degrees Negative 15 degrees 3 Positive 30 degrees Negative 30 degrees