Interaction of Different Substances (HT only)
- When EM waves move from one medium to another the waves might be:
- Transmitted
- Absorbed
- Reflected
- Refracted
When waves move from one medium to another they can be transmitted, reflected, refracted or absorbed
- The material interacts differently with different parts of EM spectrum because of the difference in wavelength
- Whilst some wavelengths might be transmitted, others might be reflected, refracted or absorbed
- Which of the interactions happen depends on:
- The wavelength of the waves
- The material the wave is travelling through
- For example, glass will:
- Transmit and/or refract visible light
- Absorb UV radiation
- Reflect IR radiation