Radius of circular impulse wave in the hemisphere bowl

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the behavior of circular impulse waves in a hemispherical bowl, particularly why waves reflect back at a distance of 200mm instead of continuing to 250mm. Participants clarify that the term "reflect" may be misleading, as there is no discontinuity in the medium at the center of the bowl for the wave to reflect off. Observations from an experiment with tapping the bowl indicate that waves spread out circularly rather than moving in a straight line. The conversation emphasizes the importance of visualizing wavefront shapes and understanding wave propagation. Ultimately, the nature of circular waves and their behavior in a confined medium is a key focus of the discussion.
desmond iking
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Homework Statement



hi all, why the wave is reflected back form the centre when it is at the distance of 200mm? why the wave can't go beyond 200mm to reach 250mm from the side of bowl?

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution

 

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Can you describe the shape of the wavefront just after tapping the side of the bowl? I'm not sure, but you might have a misconception about this. If in doubt, try it in the kitchen :smile:

What does the wavefront in the problem look like at t = 0.8 s?
 
TSny said:
Can you describe the shape of the wavefront just after tapping the side of the bowl? I'm not sure, but you might have a misconception about this. If in doubt, try it in the kitchen :smile:

What does the wavefront in the problem look like at t = 0.8 s?

the wavefront move until the another end from one end and reflect back.
 
desmond iking said:
the wavefront move until the another end from one end and reflect back.

So you're saying it would be like a line moving across the bowl and then back?
 
Yes. Is it wrong?
 
desmond iking said:
hi all, why the wave is reflected back form the centre when it is at the distance of 200mm? why the wave can't go beyond 200mm to reach 250mm from the side of bowl?
It does seem wrong to use the word "reflect" to describe the wave progressing through the centre of the bowl. There is no discontinuity in the medium there for a wave to "reflect" off.

There is no phase inversion, yet they imply it can be viewed as 100% "reflection"?
 
desmond iking said:
the wavefront move until the another end from one end and reflect back.

Did you do the experiment?

Here is what I observed. Picture A shows the water sitting still in the bowl before tapping the bowl.

B, C, and D show times just after tapping the bowl on the left with the handle of a knife.
 

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TSny said:
Did you do the experiment?

Here is what I observed. Picture A shows the water sitting still in the bowl before tapping the bowl.

B, C, and D show times just after tapping the bowl on the left with the handle of a knife.

sorry i can't understand your photo here. can i still say that the water the wavefront move until the another end from one end and reflect back. which means the water wave can move until 400mm from one end and then only reflect back? which is also (assuming the water wave is produced at the left ) means the water wave is at 150 mm form the right...
 
desmond iking said:
Nathanael said:
So you're saying it would be like a line moving across the bowl and then back?
Yes. Is it wrong?

As you can see from TSny's pictures, that is not what happens. (It is not a line; what shape is it?)
 
  • #10
Circular waves spread out?
 
  • #11
desmond iking said:
Circular waves spread out?
Perhaps you could write a few sentences in response to those trying to help you? By confining yourself to a single staccato phrase, you have misled some into thinking you can't conceive of circular wave propagation. Well. I think you have managed it, anyway ...

Maybe I'm the one who's got it wrong. You have tried tapping on the side of a bowl of water?
 
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