Oscillations and waves-reflection through the surface of a medium

Thread starter saumya yadav
Start date Jun 12, 2013
Tags

Medium Oscillations Surface

In summary, an oscillation is a back and forth motion while a wave is a transfer of energy through a medium without the actual movement of the medium itself. Reflection through the surface of a medium occurs when a wave encounters a boundary or obstacle and bounces back in the opposite direction. The law of reflection states that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection. Waves can be reflected multiple times, with each reflection resulting in a change in direction. The amplitude of a reflected wave is equal to the amplitude of the incident wave, assuming no energy loss during reflection.

Jun 12, 2013

saumya yadav

what gives rise to eigenfrequencies?

Physics news on Phys.org

Jun 12, 2013

Simon Bridge

Science Advisor

Homework Helper

Lots of stuff - do you have a specific situation/example in mind?
Have you tried looking the term up?

FAQ: Oscillations and waves-reflection through the surface of a medium

1. What is the difference between an oscillation and a wave?

An oscillation refers to a back and forth motion of an object or a system, while a wave is a transfer of energy through a medium without the actual movement of the medium itself.

2. How does reflection occur through the surface of a medium?

Reflection through the surface of a medium occurs when a wave encounters a boundary or obstacle and bounces back in the opposite direction. This is due to the change in the speed or direction of the wave as it travels through different mediums.

3. What is the law of reflection?

The law of reflection states that the angle of incidence (the angle at which the wave hits the surface) is equal to the angle of reflection (the angle at which the wave bounces off the surface). This law applies to all types of waves, including light and sound.

4. Can waves be reflected multiple times?

Yes, waves can be reflected multiple times as they encounter multiple boundaries or obstacles. Each reflection follows the law of reflection and results in a change in the direction of the wave.

5. How does the amplitude of a reflected wave compare to the amplitude of the incident wave?

The amplitude of a reflected wave is equal to the amplitude of the incident wave, assuming there is no energy loss during the reflection. This means that the height or intensity of the wave remains the same as it bounces off the surface of the medium.