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This is a general property of waves. If you have waves reflecting off a clamped point (like waves running on a string that you pinch hard at one point), the waves get phase inverted. The reason is the principle of superposition and the condition that the amplitude at the clamped point is zero. The sum of the reflected and transmitted wave must be the amplitude of oscillation at all points, so that the reflected wave must be phase inverted to cancel the incoming wave.

This property is continuous with the behavior of waves going from a less massive string to a more massive string. The reflection in this case has opposite phase, because the more massive string doesn't respond as quickly to the tension force, and the amplitude of oscillation at the contact point is less than the amplitude of the incoming wave. This means (by superposition) that the reflected wave must cancel part of the incoming wave, and it is phase reflected.

When a wave goes from a more massive string to a less massive string, the less massive string responds with less force, so that the derivative at the oscillating end is flatter than it should be. This means that the reflected wave is reflected in phase with the incoming wave, so that the spatial derivative of the wave is cancelled, not the amplitude reduced.

In optical materials of high density are analogous to strings with a higher density, hence the name. If you go into a material with low speed of light, the time derivative term in the wave-equation is suppressed, so that the field responds more sluggishly, the same way that a massive material responds more sluggishly to tension pulls. Since the eletric field response in these materials is reduced, the reflected wave is phase inverted to make the sum on the surface less, as is appropriate to match with the transmitted wave.

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When a wave moves from a less dense medium to a denser one most of the wave energy is refracted.?

refracted False


What does less dense and denser medium mean?

A less dense medium refers to a substance that has fewer particles or less mass per unit volume compared to another medium. Conversely, a denser medium has more particles or more mass per unit volume. Light travels faster in a less dense medium and slower in a denser medium.


The matter through which a wave travels is called what?

a medium. but longitudinal waves do not have to travel through a medium. This is why transverse waves cannot vibrate through space.a medium. but longitudinal waves do not have to travel through a medium. This is why transverse waves cannot vibrate through space.


What type of mechanical wave do particles in the medium move back and forth in the direction of wave motion?

The type of mechanical wave in which particles in the medium move back and forth in the direction of wave motion is called a longitudinal wave. In a longitudinal wave, the particles oscillate parallel to the direction of wave propagation, creating compressions and rarefactions along the wave. Sound waves are an example of longitudinal waves.


What determines wave speed?

Wave speed is determined by the medium through which the wave travels and the properties of that medium, such as density and elasticity. In general, waves travel faster through stiffer and denser mediums. The wavelength and frequency of the wave also play a role in determining its speed.

Related Questions

Is it necessary to have a denser medium for the reflection of light?

no. if the medium is denser, the reflection of light would not do it.


Why phase change of 180 takes place when wave enter from rarer medium to denser medium?

The displacement is a peculiar state, due to the fact that this is one of the special situations in which energy is completely destroyed and conservation of energy does not take place; hence the phase change


What is Optical denser medium?

Optical dense refers to the index of refraction. If one medium is optically denser than another, then its index of refraction is larger, meaning the speed of light in the optically denser medium is smaller.


Is it possible to achieve total internal reflection if the object is in rarer medium?

First we should know what will be happen when the light ray goes from denser medium to rarer medium and rarer medium to denser mdeium.... 1. The light refracted away from the normal (Denser to Rarer) 2. The light refracted towards the normal (Rarer to denser) So it is not possibel to get total internal reflection whan the light travel from rarer to denser medium...... Conditions to achieve to get TIR 1. The light should travel from denser mediumt to rarer medium 2. The angle of incidence at the interface should be greater than critical angle if you are not satisfied kindly mail me cramkum@gmail.com


When and how total internal reflection occur?

Total internal reflection occurs when a light ray travels from a denser medium to a less dense medium at an angle greater than the critical angle. This leads to all of the light being reflected back into the denser medium, rather than refracted through it. Total internal reflection is commonly observed in fiber optics and prism applications.


Is there any phase change occurred when sound wave refracted from denser medium to a rarer medium?

No, there is no phase change that occurs when a sound wave refracts from a denser medium to a rarer medium. The wavelength and frequency of the wave may change due to the change in speed, but the phase remains the same.


When does total internal refraction happen?

Total internal reflection occurs when light travels from a denser medium to a less dense medium at an angle exceeding the critical angle. This phenomenon causes the light to reflect back into the denser medium instead of refracting out of it. Total internal reflection is commonly observed in optical fibers and mirages.


How does total internal reflection occur when light is reflected from a plane mirror?

Total internal reflection occurs when light is reflected from a plane mirror at an angle greater than the critical angle. This critical angle is the angle at which light traveling from a denser medium to a less dense medium is reflected back into the denser medium instead of refracting out.


What happens to the light ray when the angle of incidence is greater than the angle of total reflection?

it is not the angle of total reflection, it is the critical angle. and when the angle of incidence is greater than the critical angle, total internal reflection takes place and as it is necessary for total internal reflection to take place that the ray must travel from denser to rarer medium so, when it occurs, the ray is reflected bach into the denser medium.


What happens when a wave moves through a denser medium?

When a wave moves through a denser medium, its speed decreases while its frequency remains constant. The wave will also experience refraction, causing it to change direction as it enters the denser medium. Additionally, the wavelength of the wave will shorten as it moves into the denser medium.


What are the conditions for total internal reflection to take place?

Light must travel from the optically denser medium to the optically less dense one. For total internal reflection to occur, the angle of incidence in the optically denser medium must be greater than the critical angle of that medium. The critical angle is that angle of incidence in the optically denser medium for which the angle of refraction is 90o.


What is the meaning of reflection and refraction?

Reflection is the bouncing back of light or sound waves when they hit a surface, changing direction but not entering the surface. Refraction is the bending of light waves as they pass from one medium to another medium with a different density, causing a change in speed and direction.