How can a surface be polished for some waves and not others?

Thread starter zachcumer
Start date Mar 10, 2008
Tags

Surface Waves

In summary, determining the appropriate surface roughness for polishing waves depends on the wavelength and amplitude of the waves. The most commonly used polishing techniques for surfaces include mechanical polishing, chemical polishing, and electropolishing. A surface can be polished to only affect certain types of waves by carefully selecting the polishing technique and surface roughness. The angle of incident waves can also affect the effectiveness of surface polishing, with the surface roughness and polishing technique needing to be carefully chosen. While surface polishing cannot completely eliminate wave scattering, it can significantly reduce it and improve the quality of reflected or transmitted waves. Other factors such as material properties and wavelength also play a role in wave scattering.

Mar 10, 2008

zachcumer

[SOLVED] How can a surface be polished for some waves and not others?

The question is above...
Thanks

Physics news on Phys.org

Mar 10, 2008

mgb_phys

Science Advisor

Homework Helper

A surface is always smoother (more polished) for a longer wavelength.
So a piece of wood is pretty smooth to 3cm microwaves but is not really lambda/20 for visible light!

Mar 10, 2008

zachcumer

thanks so much...I was thinking about writing just that but wasn't too sure.

thanks

1. How do you determine the appropriate surface roughness for polishing waves?

The appropriate surface roughness for polishing waves depends on the wavelength and amplitude of the waves. Generally, a smoother surface is required for shorter wavelengths and smaller amplitudes to minimize wave scattering.

2. What are the most commonly used polishing techniques for surfaces?

The most commonly used polishing techniques for surfaces include mechanical polishing, chemical polishing, and electropolishing. Mechanical polishing involves using abrasives to remove surface imperfections, while chemical polishing uses chemical solutions to dissolve surface irregularities. Electropolishing utilizes an electrical current to remove surface material and smooth the surface.

3. How can a surface be polished to only affect certain types of waves?

A surface can be polished to only affect certain types of waves by carefully selecting the polishing technique and surface roughness. For example, a smooth surface with minimal surface roughness can be achieved through electropolishing, which is better for minimizing the reflection of high-frequency waves. On the other hand, mechanical polishing can be used to create a rougher surface for better diffraction of low-frequency waves.

4. Can the angle of incident waves affect the effectiveness of surface polishing?

Yes, the angle of incident waves can affect the effectiveness of surface polishing. The angle of incidence determines the direction and intensity of the reflected and refracted waves. Therefore, the surface roughness and polishing technique must be carefully selected to minimize the reflection or diffraction of waves at specific angles.

5. Can surface polishing completely eliminate wave scattering?

No, surface polishing cannot completely eliminate wave scattering. However, it can significantly reduce the scattering and improve the overall quality of the reflected or transmitted waves. Other factors such as the material properties of the surface and the wavelength of the waves also play a role in wave scattering.