When a harmonic wave is reflected from a rigid boundary is a

When a harmonic wave is reflected from a rigid boundary, is a standing wave formed? If so, is there a node or antinode at the boundary? Justify your answer. B) When a harmonic wave is reflected from a boundary of negligible impedance, is a standing wave formed? If so, is there a node or antinode at the boundary? Justify your answer.

Solution

A) When a harmonic wave is reflected at a rigid boundary, the reflect wave will undego a pahse differnce of 180 deg but has same frequecny and amplitude of the incidence wave. Both waves travelling in opposte direction will produce standing waves and the boundary point is node as the particel at the boundary are not free to vibrate. It is similar to closed end organ pipe.

B) When the wave is reflected at the boundarfy with negligile impedence the phase diference would be 0 or nultiple of 2pi and constructiveinterference will happen at the open end the particles of the medium are free to vibrate and anti-node will be formed at the open end, it is similar to a open ended organ pipe.