In addition to the phenomenon of interference, presented in the previous section, the waves present a wide range of behavior in different situations. The main ones are presented below.
Reflection
It is when the wave strikes a surface of separation between two media and returns to the same medium.
The reflection of a mechanical wave at a fixed end is in reverse phase.
The reflection of a mechanical wave on the free end (mobile) occurs without phase inversion.
Refraction
It is the phenomenon that occurs when a wave comes from one medium and penetrates into another medium. (This phenomenon is addressed deeply in the section: Optic | Refraction and Refractive Means )
Diffraction
"Evading obstacles" and "Distinguishing particle from waves."
Diffraction is the distortion of linear propagation of waves that encounter obstacles, allowing the wave to circumvent them. The diffraction phenomenon is a characteristic of waves. Particles do not diffract.
Conditions of Sharp Perception
The diffraction phenomenon becomes increasingly clearer as the relationship between incident wavelength ( \(\lambda\) ) and the size of the orifice or barrier \(d\) becomes smaller than 1. $$ \text{sharpness} = \frac{\lambda}{d} $$
Application
Diffraction allows waves to bypass obstacles. Because of the diffraction it is possible to hear the sounds that are produced in a certain room from one house to another room.
Polarization
It is a wave phenomenon typical of transverse waves. When this phenomenon occurs, the oscillations in the propagation medium are restricted to one plane.
Other Phenomena
There are many other interesting phenomena in the wave. Here we will list a few more.
Dispersion
It is the phenomenon through which a wave is decomposed into the set of its constituent single waves.
Attenuation
Effective reduction of the intensity of a wave, which crosses a medium material and interacts with it.
Resonance
Phenomenon that occurs when a oscillating system is excited by a periodic external agent with a frequency identical to one of its own frequencies. In these conditions the transfer of energy from the external source to the system is maximum.