Here at lightcolourvision.org, we use the term wave diagram to refer to a diagram that uses a set of drawing conventions and labels to describe changes to the attributes of light waves including changes in wavelength, frequency, amplitude, speed of light and direction of propagation.
- A wave diagram illustrates what happens to a wave as it encounters different media or objects.
- The aim of a wave diagram is to demonstrate optical phenomena such as reflection, refraction, dispersion and diffraction.
Related diagrams
Each diagram below can be viewed on its own page with a full explanation.
Here at lightcolourvision.org, we use the term wave diagram to refer to a diagram that uses a set of drawing conventions and labels to describe the attributes of light waves including wavelength, frequency, amplitude and direction of travel.
- A wave diagram illustrates what happens to a wave as it encounters different media or objects.
- The aim of a wave diagram is to demonstrate optical phenomena such as reflection and refraction.