SPM Q & A : Refraction

Exercise 1.3

1. Refraction of water wave of the sea water


1. Why are the speed and wavelength of waves in the middle of the sea almost uniform?

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2. What do you think would happen to the wave speed if the depth of water is increased?

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3. Why do the distances between the waterfronts decrease as the waves approach the beach?

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4. Why is the water in the bay stationary compared to the water at the cape?

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(reference:JPNP)

to know the answer email me at fizbro@gmail.com

Refraction Phenomena

In form 4 u’ve learned refraction of light. Light is part of electromagnetic wave. Thus other types of waves also undergo refraction.

Lets recall light refraction..watch this video!

Refraction is a phenomenon where there is a change of direction of the traveling waves from 1 medium to another due to change of speed.

Refraction of Water Wave:

When water waves move from deep to shallow region, their wavelength become shorter and the velocity decreases.

The frequency of the wave remain unchanged. This can be visualized in these video below.

wave bended as it moves from different depth

Wavelength λ decreased as it moves frm deeper to shallow region.

A fish that solves a complex physics problem!

Before i discussed interference in the next subtopic.. i want u to watch this.
The beauty of god creation has enabled human to solve some complex physics concept.

Ok now compare the fish scenario & the scenario shown in diagram below..
This diagram actually was one of question came out in MRSM trial..last year.
Try this question!