Reflection of wavesCopy

Learning Objectives

• Describe how waves can undergo reflection at a plane surface
• Describe the use of water waves to demonstrate reflection

Contents to learn

Reflection of wave

It is the bouncing back of the wave from the boundary of the second medium.

OR

It is the bouncing back of the wave from the boundary of the medium in which it is travelling.

During reflection of the wave, wavelength, speed and frequency remain same but direction changes.

Law of reflection:

Whenever the wave reflects from the boundary, it obeys the law of reflection, which is as under.

1- Angle of incidence is always equal to the reflection.

Angle of incidence = Angle of reflection

2- Incident wave , reflected wave and the normal lie in the same plane.

Important to note:

1- Angle of incidence is the angle between the incident wave (ray) and normal to the boundary at the point of incidence.

2- Angle of reflection is the angle between the reflected wave (ray) and normal to the boundary at the point of incidence.