When a longitudinal wave is incident at the boundary of denser medium, then ____________.
A. Compression reflects as a compression
B. Compression reflects as a rarefaction
C. Rarefaction reflects as a compression
D. Longitudinal wave reflects transverse wave
Answer
593.8k+ views
Hint On reflection at the boundary of a denser medium, a change of phase by $180^\circ $ takes place for a longitudinal wave. In other words, there is a phase difference of $180^\circ $ between the incident wave and the reflected wave.
Complete step-by-step solution:
Let us first discuss about what is compression and rarefaction.
In the motion of longitudinal wave, a compression is a formed when the particles comes very close to each other whereas a rarefaction is formed when the particles goes far apart from each other.
In other words, we can also say that the region where the medium is compressed is known as a compression and the region where the medium is spread out is known as a rarefaction.
Suppose that longitudinal waves in air are incident perpendicularly on a rigid wall (See the diagram). When a compression hits the wall, it exerts a force on the wall and the wall also exerts an equal and opposite force on the particles in compression and hence pushes the compression in the opposite direction.
Thus, there is a phase difference of $180^\circ $ between the incident wave and the reflected wave.
Therefore, a compression which is travelling towards the wall is reflected as a compression in the direction opposite to the wall and a rarefaction incident on the wall is reflected as a rarefaction.
Hence, option A is correct.
Note: When a compression is formed in a medium, the density and pressure of the medium increases whereas when a rarefaction is formed in the same medium, density and pressure of the medium decreases.
Therefore, compression is also known as the region of high density and pressure whereas rarefaction is known as the region of low density and pressure.
Complete step-by-step solution:
Let us first discuss about what is compression and rarefaction.
In the motion of longitudinal wave, a compression is a formed when the particles comes very close to each other whereas a rarefaction is formed when the particles goes far apart from each other.
In other words, we can also say that the region where the medium is compressed is known as a compression and the region where the medium is spread out is known as a rarefaction.
Suppose that longitudinal waves in air are incident perpendicularly on a rigid wall (See the diagram). When a compression hits the wall, it exerts a force on the wall and the wall also exerts an equal and opposite force on the particles in compression and hence pushes the compression in the opposite direction.
Thus, there is a phase difference of $180^\circ $ between the incident wave and the reflected wave.
Therefore, a compression which is travelling towards the wall is reflected as a compression in the direction opposite to the wall and a rarefaction incident on the wall is reflected as a rarefaction.
Hence, option A is correct.
Note: When a compression is formed in a medium, the density and pressure of the medium increases whereas when a rarefaction is formed in the same medium, density and pressure of the medium decreases.
Therefore, compression is also known as the region of high density and pressure whereas rarefaction is known as the region of low density and pressure.
Recently Updated Pages
Which of the following graphs shows the variation of class 12 physics CBSE

Draw a labelled diagram of the human male reproductive class 12 biology CBSE

Describe the experiment to compare the emf of two cells class 12 physics CBSE

What is standard hydrogen electrode

What is conventional current and electric current class 12 physics CBSE

2Bromopentane is treated with an alcoholic KOH solution class 12 chemistry CBSE

Trending doubts
Draw a labelled sketch of the human eye class 12 physics CBSE

Which are the Top 10 Largest Countries of the World?

Differentiate between homogeneous and heterogeneous class 12 chemistry CBSE

Draw ray diagrams each showing i myopic eye and ii class 12 physics CBSE

Which is the correct genotypic ratio of mendel dihybrid class 12 biology CBSE

What is the Full Form of PVC, PET, HDPE, LDPE, PP and PS ?

