Reflection and Standing Waves

Vocabulary flashcards covering reflection of waves at boundary conditions, standing waves, nodes, and anti-nodes from the physics notes.

Reflection of Waves

The phenomenon that occurs when a wave arrives at a boundary and is either absorbed, reflected, or transmitted depending on the nature of the boundary, following the same laws of reflection as in optics.

Reflected Wave at a Fixed End

The wave produced when a wave in a string reflects from a fixed end, forming an inverted mirror image of the original incident wave.

Reflected Wave at a Free End

The wave produced when a wave in a string reflects from a free end, forming a mirror image of the original incident wave that is not inverted.

Standing (Stationary) Wave

A wave formed when two waves of equal amplitude and frequency travelling in opposite directions super-impose.

Node

The point in a standing wave where the waves interfere destructively.

Anti-node

The point in a standing wave where the waves interfere constructively.