- #1
gandharva_23
- 61
- 0
when a mechanical wave is reflected by a fixed support it experiences a phase change of pi ... without getting into maths can i qualitatively prove this ? i cannot analyse how the forces will be acting .
A mechanical wave is a type of wave that requires a physical medium, such as air or water, to travel through. The wave is created by a disturbance in the medium, causing particles to vibrate and transfer energy.
Reflection occurs when a mechanical wave encounters a boundary between two mediums. Some of the wave's energy is absorbed by the boundary, causing the wave to change direction and bounce back.
The angle of incidence, the properties of the boundary, and the wavelength of the wave can all affect the reflection of a mechanical wave. Additionally, the type of wave (transverse or longitudinal) and the amplitude of the wave can also play a role.
Specular reflection occurs when a wave reflects off a smooth surface, such as a mirror, at a single angle. Diffuse reflection occurs when a wave reflects off a rough surface, such as a piece of paper, at multiple angles.
The law of reflection states that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection. This applies to mechanical waves when they reflect off a surface, and the angle of incidence and reflection are measured from the normal line, which is perpendicular to the surface at the point of reflection.