Wave Interactions Flashcards
What is a boundary
Where the surface of one medium meets the surface of a different medium
What happens when a wave is reflected
half wavelength change of phase
When a wave meets a boundary what can happen
Reflect, Transmit, Be absorbed
What happens when a wave meets a fixed point
a 180 degree phase change occurs to the wave due to NL3
What happens when a wave meets a free to move point
no change in phase and just rebounds
What is constructive interference
When two pulses add due to same phase
What is destructive interference
When two pulses cancel out due to opposite phase
What is a beat
when two waves are only slightly out of phase and thus will alternate between constructive and destructive interference
What is a wavefront
a line connecting two points in phase
