What type of wave are water waves?
Water waves are transverse waves.
The up and down movements (undulations) of the wave are perpendicular (at 90°) to the direction the wave is travelling.
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What happens when a water wave meets a barrier or surface?
When a water wave meets a barrier or surface, it bounces off and is reflected.
Reflection changes the direction of the wave. The angle of the incoming waves is equal to the reflected wave.
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What is superposition?
Superposition is when two transverse waves travelling through water meet each other and combine for a brief time before continuing on unchanged.
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What happens when two crests meet during superposition?
If two crests meet during superposition, the wave height is added together.
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What happens when two troughs meet during superposition?
If two troughs meet during superposition, the trough depth is added together.
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What happens when a crest meets a trough during superposition?
If a crest meets a trough during superposition, they may cancel out to make a flat surface.
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