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When waves slow down and change direction, it typically means they are entering a medium with a different density or refractive index. This can lead to the waves bending or refracting as they pass from one medium to another. This phenomenon is known as refraction and is commonly seen when waves pass through water or glass.

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Electromagnetic waves slow down or change direction?

Electromagnetic waves do not slow down in a vacuum. However, they can change direction when they encounter different mediums, such as transitioning from air to glass. This change in direction is known as refraction.


When light waves slow down do they change direction?

When light waves slow down as they travel from one medium to another, such as from air to glass, they do change direction. This change in direction is called refraction and occurs due to the change in speed of the light waves in the new medium.


What happens to the path of waves when they travel from air to water, and why does this change occur?

When waves travel from air to water, they change direction and speed. This change occurs because the speed of waves is determined by the medium they are traveling through, and water is denser than air, causing the waves to slow down and bend.


Why do waves change direction as they approach shore?

Waves change direction as they approach shore due to the shallowing of water depth. This causes the wave to slow down and bend towards shallower areas. This process is known as wave refraction.


Why do waves change direction when they are near shore?

Waves change direction near shore due to shoaling, which is the process of waves slowing down and increasing in height as they move into shallower water. This change in speed and height causes the waves to bend, aligning more parallel with the shoreline. The energy in the waves is also compressed which results in them breaking as they reach the shore.

Related Questions

Electromagnetic waves slow down or change direction?

Electromagnetic waves do not slow down in a vacuum. However, they can change direction when they encounter different mediums, such as transitioning from air to glass. This change in direction is known as refraction.


When light waves slow down do they change direction?

When light waves slow down as they travel from one medium to another, such as from air to glass, they do change direction. This change in direction is called refraction and occurs due to the change in speed of the light waves in the new medium.


What happens to the path of waves when they travel from air to water, and why does this change occur?

When waves travel from air to water, they change direction and speed. This change occurs because the speed of waves is determined by the medium they are traveling through, and water is denser than air, causing the waves to slow down and bend.


What is it called when waves change there speed when they go in to different matereals?

This is related to a change in direction. The change in direction is called refraction. The numbers that describe HOW MUCH the speed of the wave slows down is called "index of refraction", especially in the case of light waves.


Why do waves change direction as they approach shore?

Waves change direction as they approach shore due to the shallowing of water depth. This causes the wave to slow down and bend towards shallower areas. This process is known as wave refraction.


Why do waves change direction when they are near shore?

Waves change direction near shore due to shoaling, which is the process of waves slowing down and increasing in height as they move into shallower water. This change in speed and height causes the waves to bend, aligning more parallel with the shoreline. The energy in the waves is also compressed which results in them breaking as they reach the shore.


In which direction do ocean waves travel in an up and down motion?

Ocean waves travel in an up and down motion in a vertical direction.


What happens to P waves as they go through earth?

P waves speed up, slow down, or bend slightly as they pass through different layers of the Earth due to changes in density and composition. This change in speed and direction helps scientists determine the Earth's internal structure.


What kind of waves move up and down or perpendicular to the direction that the wave moves?

Transverse waves move up and down or perpendicular to the direction of the wave's movement. Examples include light waves, water waves, and electromagnetic waves.


What Waves change direction as they near shore because?

Waves change direction as they near shore due to the interaction between the wave front and the sea bottom. This interaction causes the wave to slow down and bend, resulting in the wave refraction. Refraction causes the wave energy to focus on headlands and disperse in bays, affecting wave direction.


What happens the the p wave when they strike the inner core?

When the P wave strikes the inner core it bends and goes in a different direction.


How do you demonstrate transverse waves?

Water waves are known as transverse waves because the motion of the water is up and down, or at right angles to the direction in which the waves are traveling. You can see this by observing a cork bobbing up and down on water as the waves pass by; the cork moves very little in a sideways direction.