6.2 REFLECTION OF WAVES

REFLECTION OF WAVES

• Occurs when a waves strikes an obstacle.
• The wave will change its direction of propagation when it is reflected.

Characteristics of Reflection of waves:

• The value of frequency (f), wavelength ( λ) and speed (v) remain the same after reflection.
• The phenomenon of reflection of waves obeys the Laws of reflection.

Law of Reflection
The incident wave, the reflected wave and the Normal lie in the same plane which is perpendicular to the reflecting surface at the point of incident.
The angle of incident, i is equal to the angle of reflection, r.

Reflection of plane water waves in a ripple tank

• The phenomenon of reflection of water waves can be investigated using a ripple tank.
• The water waves are produced by a vibrating source on the water surface.

A horizontal bar will produced a plane wave.












While a round source will produce circular wave













See video wave reflections from ripple tank.


Diagram shows reflection of waves