AP Physics 2 / Unit 14: Waves, Sound, and Physical Optics
14.3 Boundary Behavior of Waves and Polarization
Notes
- A pulse reflecting from a fixed end inverts; from a free end, it doesn't.
- Waves passing into a new medium change speed and wavelength but keep frequency.
- Polarization restricts transverse waves to one direction (not possible for sound).
Practice
A pulse reflects from a fixed end. It is:
Fixed end flips it.
When a wave enters a new medium, which stays the same?
Set by the source.
Which can be polarized?
Only transverse waves.
Ready for more? Take the Unit 14 test.