Reflection of waves
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Reflection of waves
Reflection of wave takes place when a wave strike an obstacle. The wave will change its direction of propagation when it is reflected. Characteristics of Reflection of waves: 1. 2. 3. 4. It obeys the Law of Reflection. The wavelength, of the reflected wave is the same as that of the incident waves. The frequency, f of the reflected waves is the same as that of the incident waves. Therefore the speed, v of the reflected waves is the same as that of the incident waves.
The phenomenon of reflection of waves obeys the Laws of reflection: i. 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. ii. The angle of incident, i is equal to the angle of reflection, r.
The phenomenon of reflection of water waves can be investigated using a ripple tank. source on the water surface.
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Reflection of waves
Study more about water wave here. Video clips on ripple tank Virtual lab on wave Being a transverse wave, the crest of the water wave acts as a convex lens that converge the light ray and produced a bright area on the white paper. While the trough acts a concave lens that diverge light ray and produced a dark area on the white paper. Hence a series of bright and dark regions are produced on the white paper. A mechanical stroboscope is used to observed the pattern of the reflected waves. The moving waves will appear to be stationary when the frequency of the stroboscope is the same as the frequency of the water waves. The frequency of the stroboscope = np, where n = the number of slits on the stroboscope and p = the frequency of rotation of the stroboscope (the number of the stroboscope is turned in a second). View some photographs taken by stroboscopic camera. Characteristics of reflection of wave: 1. angle of reflection = angle of incidence 2. wavelength, frequency and speed of the wave do not change after reflection. 3. direction of propagation and velocity of wave changes.
Video clips on: Reflection of plane wave on a plane reflector Reflection of plane wave on a circular reflector Reflection of circular wave on a plane reflector
Light rays from an object strike the surface of a plane mirror. The rays are reflected on the appear to come from behind the mirror. The reflected rays are drawn as if they are from the im image is virtual. Therefore the rays behind the mirror do not exist. They are virtual rays and are represented by dotted lines. The continuous lines from the mirror to the eye indicates the reflec The distance between the object and the mirror is the same as the distance between the image mirror. Characteristics of the image of a plane mirror: 1. Virtual 2. Same size as the object 3. laterally inverted Application of reflection of light on plane mirror Defence & safety 1. A periscope is an optical instrument used to view objects beyond obstacles. Light waves from an object which is incident on a plane mirror in the periscope are reflected twice before entering the eyes of the observer. Telecommunication
1. Optical fibres have many advantages compared to conventional cables in the transmissi information. Optical fibres are light, flexible, electrically non-conducting and can transm information. 2. Infrared waves from a remote control of electrical equipment (TV / Radio) are reflected the surroundings and received by the TV or radio.
2. The rear view mirror and side mirror in a car are used to view cars behind and at the side while overtaking another car or making a turn. The mirrors reflect light waves from the cars and objects into the driver's eye. 3. The lamp of a car emit light waves with minimum dispersion. The light bulb is placed at the focal point of the parabolic reflector of the car lamp so that the reflected light waves are parallel to the principal axis of the reflector. Parallel light waves have a further coverage (shines further).
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3. Object placed at 2f
Rules of reflection of curved mirror 1. Incident light rays that is parallel to the principle axis is reflected towards the point Principle Focus, F. 2. Any light ray that passes through the Principle Focus, F is reflected parallel to the principle axis. 3. Image is form at the point of intersection of 2 reflected rays. Look at the animation below.
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5. Object placed at F
Virtual Magnified Upright At this position, concave mirror acts as a magnifying mirror.
Convex mirror
Image is always virtual, diminished, upright irrespective of where the object is placed.
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A concave mirror converge all parallel light rays to a point along its principle axis called Focal point.
Therefore it is used as a surveillance mirror and a blind corner mirror which is placed at a sharp bend on a road. A Concave mirror with long focal lengths can be used as makeup mirror, shaving mirror or a dentist's mirror as they form magnified and upright image.
convex mirror is used as a side mirror of a car because it gives an upright image and a wider field of vision than a plane mirror.
A dentist mirror
The lamps of a car emit light waves with minimum dispersion. The light bulb is placed at the focal point of the parabolic reflector of the car lamp so that the reflected light waves are parallel to the principal axis of the reflector. Parallel light waves shine far and have a further coverage.
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Parallel light rays reflected and focused on oil-filled pipes placed at the Principle focus of the parabolic mirror, which collect heat, make steam, propel generator turbines.
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4. The high frequency vibrations caused by ultrasound can be used in the cleaning of small, intricate items such as spectacles, jewellery and small machine parts. The items are placed in a liquid bath which is vibrated by ultrasound to loosen dirt and corrosions. 5. Ultrasound is also used to clean our teeth. 6. Sonogram. Ultrasound scanning is used widely in the medical field to check the development of foetuses in pregnant women or to detect cancerous growth in a patient's body. Ultrasound produced by a transducer probe is sent into a patient's body. The reflected ultrasound from the foetuses is detected again by the transducer. The transducer relays the received signal to a computer to form an image of foetuses on a screen.
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