Superposition Of Waves Flashcards
What happens when a wave pulse is reflected from a rigid support?
A crest is reflected as a trough and a trough is reflected as a crest
This is due to Newton’s third law of motion, where the rigid support exerts an equal and opposite reaction on the string.
What is the phase change that occurs during reflection from a fixed end?
Phase change of π radians
This phase difference is observed between the particles at a crest and a trough.
In the experiment with a string attached to a sliding ring, what happens when the crest reaches the ring?
The ring moves upward and the wave is reflected back as a crest
No phase change occurs on reflection from a rarer medium.
When a crest travels from a heavy string to a light string, how does it get reflected?
The crest is reflected as a crest
This demonstrates that reflection from a rarer medium does not change the wave’s phase.
What are the two types of strings used in the experiments?
- Heavy string (denser medium)
- Light string (rarer medium)
The heavy string acts as a denser medium while the light string acts as a rarer medium.
Fill in the blank: When a crest moves towards a rigid support, it pulls the particles of the string in the _______ direction.
upward
True or False: A wave pulse reflected from a rarer medium undergoes a phase change.
False
A crest reflected from a rarer medium remains a crest with no phase change.
What is the result of a wave pulse reflected from a heavier string?
Part of the wave pulse is reflected back on the heavy string
This is observed when a wave pulse moves towards the junction of a heavy and light string.
What is the primary observation regarding wave reflection when comparing dense and rare mediums?
Crests reflect as troughs in dense mediums and as crests in rare mediums
This highlights the different behaviors of waves at the interface of varying densities.
