Waves Vocabulary

4. A lens that causes parallel light rays to spread out
7. The process or action by which one thing absorbs or is absorbed by another.
8. The change in direction of a wave passing from one medium to another caused by its change in speed.
12. The process by which a beam of light or other system of waves is spread out as a result of passing through a narrow aperture or across an edge, typically accompanied by interference between the wave forms produced.
13. An optical filter that lets light waves of a specific polarization pass through while blocking light waves of other polarizations
14. A wave vibrating in the direction of propagation.
16. A type of surface reflectance often described as a mirror-like reflection of light from the surface.

1. Complete reflection of a ray of light within a medium such as water or glass from the surrounding surfaces back into the medium
2. Happens when two waves overlap in such a way that they combine to create a larger wave
3. Occurs when the maxima of two waves are 180 degrees out of phase
5. An increase (or decrease) in the frequency of sound, light, or other waves as the source and observer move toward (or away from) each other. The effect causes the sudden change in pitch noticeable in a passing siren, as well as the redshift seen by astronomers.
6. An optical lens that converges all rays of light passing through it
9. the reflection of light from a surface such that an incident ray is reflected at many angles, rather than at just one angle
10. A combination of two waves moving in opposite directions, each having the same amplitude and frequency.
11. An elastic wave in the earth produced by an earthquake or other means.
15. A wave vibrating at right angles to the direction of its propagation.
16. The process in which electromagnetic radiation or particles are deflected or diffused.