Question

Explain what is interference, refraction and reflection in waves.

Answer 1

Interference :
When two waves with same frequency is superposed at a point in space, then their resultant intensity distribution will be redistributed according to their phase difference. At some point their will be complete dark (zero intensity ) and at some point their will be complete bright (maximum intensity) . This redistribution of energy due phase difference is called interference.

Refraction:
When a single wave is incident at the interface of two medium of different refractive indices, then a part of the incident wave will transmit through the interface and will propagate through the 2nd medium with a different speed and will move at a diffrent direction deviated from the initial direction. This phenomena is called Refraction.

Reflection:
When a single wave is incident at the interface of two medium of different refractive indices, then a part of the incident wave will reflect back to the 1st medium in which the wave was propagating initially. But, it will move in a different direction but this direction is determined according to the angle of incidence of the initial inicident wave. This process is called Reflection.