Does refraction lead to energy loss

Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
1 reply · 3K views
sunrah
Messages
191
Reaction score
22
Considering the vibrational damping of bubble wrap. My basic premise is that there are three main contributors to the damping effect:

1) Surface tension of the sheet structure and the bubbles themselves when subject to applied force causes dissipation of force away from applied direction
2) The change of volume of the bubble chambers (filled with air) requires work to be done: energy loss!
3) Reflexion at boundary layers: a very small portion of the propagating vibrations (mechanical waves) are reflected back at each boundary.

I'm wondering if refraction would also contribute. Any ideas would be appreciated.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
2) The change of volume of the bubble chambers (filled with air) requires work to be done: energy loss!
If this happens quick enough to neglect temperature exchange, you get the work back at expansion.

Refraction of what? Sound? But that is just what you describe.