If a transverse wave travelling in a rarer medium is incident on a denser medium, it is reflected such that:
Correct answer: B. It undergoes a phase change of 180 deg
- A. It undergoes a phase change of 90 degrees
- B. It undergoes a phase change of 180 deg
- C. It undergoes a phase change of 270 degrees
- D. It undergoes a phase change of 0 degrees
Explanation
Phase change of 180 degrees: This means that the crest of the reflected wave is 180 degrees out of phase with the crest of the incident wave. This can happen when a wave is reflected from a boundary between two media with different impedances.
Last updated
About Waves
Progressive waves transfer energy through oscillations, with wavelength, frequency, amplitude and wave speed related by v = fλ; sound speed depends on the medium. Superposition produces interference and stationary waves in strings and organ pipes, while simple harmonic motion describes the oscillation itself and must be distinguished from wave propagation.
Practise Waves
1,281 free Waves MCQs from Physics, each with the correct answer and an explanation. Unlimited attempts, no account needed.
Exams that ask Physics questions like this
Physics is on 13 papers prepared for on TestUstad, and all of them draw the same bank, so this question is worth knowing for every one of them.
Related questions
20 waves pass through a point in a medium, in 5 seconds. What is the time required for one wave to pass?
A 100 cm long string fixed at its two ends is plucked from the middle. The wavelength of stationary waves generated is:
A 100 cm long string fixed at its two ends is plucked from the middle. The wavelength of stationary waves generated is:
A 200 cm organ pipe with one end open is in resonance with a sound wave of wavelength 270 cm. The pipe is operating in its:
A car moving at 30 m/s toward an observer sounds its horn at 400 Hz. If the speed of sound is 343 m/s, what frequency does the observer hear?