1.

2 REFLECTION OF WAVES
NURUL FADHILAH BINTI ALIAS
MRSM KUALA KLAWANG, NEGERI SEMBILAN

Introduction

What will happen to the waves after they hit the

retaining (tembok) wall?

Water waves hitting a wall

When an object, like a ball, is thrown

against a rigid wall it will?
wall

This "reflection" of the

ball
object can be analyzed in
terms of momentum and
energy conservation
If the collision between ball and
wall is perfectly ELASTIC, then
all the incident energy and
momentum is reflected, and
the ball bounces back with the
If the collision is INELASTIC, then the wall (or ball)
same speed
absorbs some of the incident energy and
momentum and the ball does not bounce back
with the same speed.

Waves also carry energy and momen

whenever a wave
encounters an obstacle,
they are reflected by
the obstacle
reflection of waves is responsible for
echoes, radar detectors, and for
allowing standing waves which are
so important to sound production in
musical instruments.

Reflection
When a wave reaches a boundary it
is:
Partially reflected (bounces off
surface)
Partially transmitted through surface.

Law of Reflection
Angle of incidence = Angle of reflection

WATER WAVE

(REFLECTED WAVES PATTERN)

Wave propagation

Reflected waves
Flat wave reflection
from a convex
barrier/obstacle/ reflector

Circular wave reflection from flat

barrier/obstacle/ reflector

Lets look at the detail

Circular wave reflection from a concave

barrier/obstacle/ reflector
Source far from barrier

Circular wave reflection from a concave

barrier/obstacle/ reflector
Source near to the obstacle

Circular wave reflection from a convex

barrier/obstacle/ reflector
Source further from obstacle

SOURCE IS FLAT
(BAR VIBRATOR)

SOURCE IS CIRCULAR
(CIRCLE VIBRATOR)

LIGHT WAVES
(REFLECTED WAVES)

When rays of light strike any surface the rays

are reflected , unless the surface is black, when
they are absorbed.
The reflection depend on how smooth the
surfaces are. Good mirrors reflect well over 90%
of the light that reaches them, with only a small
amount being absorbed.
A plane mirror is a flat smooth surface which
reflects regularly most of the light falling on it.

 The phenomenon of reflection of light obeys the

law of reflection.
(a) The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of
reflection.
(b) The incident wave, the reflected wave and the normal
lie in the same plane.

It also can be seen that

(a) The size of the image = the size of the object
(b) The distance of the image = the distance of the object

Specular Reflection
A reflection produced by a smooth surface.

Diffuse Reflection
Reflection from a rough surface.

http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/java/reflection/specular/specularjavafigure1.jpg

Reflection from a Plane Mirror

di=do
Virtual image
(dotted lines show

hi=ho

Step by step to Draw image

Please refer to the text book
Learn and practice step by step how to draw the
images

Type of Image formed

by a plane mirror
Laterally inverted
Same size as the object
Virtual and
As far behind the mirror as
the object is in front of it

Refer pg. 133 in

your txt bk.
(English Ver.)

What is the minimum mirror

height required for a person
to see their full self in the
mirror?

Hint: Compare AB to CD

CURVED
MIRRORS (^^,)

Curved mirrors can make things look

smaller or BIGGER.
C = center of curvature
(center of sphere of the
mirror)
R = The distance
between C and the mirror
is called the radius of
curvature
f = FP (FP = CP)
F = Principal focus
Principal Axis =
connecting line from the
centre of curvature to
point P

Application Concave
Mirrors

torches,

search-lights and vehicles headlights to get powerful

parallel beams of light.
They are often used as shaving mirrors to see a larger
image of the face.
The dentists use concave mirrors to see large images of
the teeth of patients.
Large concave mirrors are used to concentrate sunlight
to produce heat in solar furnaces.

Image formed by a
convex mirror

Application Convex
Mirrors
commonly
used as rear-view (wing) mirrors in
vehicles.
These mirrors are fitted on the sides of the
vehicle, enabling the driver to see traffic behind
him/her to facilitate safe driving.
Convex mirrors are preferred because they
always give an erect, though diminished, image.
Also, they have a wider field of view as they are
curved outwards.
Thus, convex mirrors enable the driver to view
much large area than would be possible with a
plane mirror

REFLECTION OF
SOUND WAVE
Assignment (A):
If you were a sound engineer, what is the modification that you have
to do to improve a recording studio. In your explanations , include
steps to overcome sound reflection problems.
Assignment (B):
You are engaged by an interior design company to help to design a
caf in the town. You are required to make the caf look more
spacious. Explain how to make the hall look bigger by fixing mirrors
on the wall.

Assignment (C):
Make a mind map of reflection of wave. Make sure all
important points are included. Use a manila card or a
mahjong paper.
Assignment (D):
Make a table of comparison of reflection waves of water
waves, light waves and also sound waves.

Experiments of
Reflection of Waves
Aim : To observe and describe the reflection of water waves
in terms of the angle of incidence, angle of reflection and
the wavelength.
Apparatus : ripple tank, straight dipper, straight reflector,
stroboscope, white mahjong paper, metre rule, power
supply, rheostat.

Procedure :
1. Set up the apparatus as shown in the figure above.
2. Pour water into the ripple tank to a depth of about
1 cm and adjust the stands to ensure the depth of
the water in the tank is uniform.
3. Lower the straight dipper until it just touches the
surface of the water.
4. Place a straight reflector parallel to the dipper, 30
cm away.
5. Switch on the lamp and the motor. Adjust the
frequency of the motor by sliding the rheostat so
that the image of the wave is clear.

6.

Use the stroboscope to freeze the image of the

wave form.
7. Mark the image on the white paper.
8. Measure the angle of incidence, angle of
reflection, wavelength of the incident waves and
reflected waves.
9. Replace the paper, repeat steps 4 8 with the
angle between the reflector and the dipper at 15,
30 ,45 and 60.
10. Tabulate your data.
11. Deduce the relationship between
i.
ii.

the angle of incidence and angle of reflection;

The wavelength of the incident waves and reflected
waves.

Appendix 1

Discussion
From the observation, the incident angle i, is equal to the
reflection angle.
The length of incident wave is the same as the length of
reflection wave after it is reflected
Conclusion
The angle of incidence, i is equal to the angle of reflection ,

A simple experiment of reflection of sound waves

Equipment and materials:
Stopwatch, 2 cardboard tube with length 50 cm, smooth
wall, smooth/soft wood

Figure 1
Procedure
1. Place a stop watch at the end of a hollow tube.
2. The tube is placed at an angle to a reflecting surface as shown in the
above figure.
3. Keep a smooth wood vertical on the table top.
4. Place another hollow tube on the other side of the smooth wood and hold
it close to ear.
5. Adjust the angle of the second tube until a loud ticking is heard.
Make a conclusion of this activity.

Appendix 2 (Sound Wave)

Results
It is observed that the loudest ticking sound is heard when the angle
of incident is the same as the angle of reflection.

Discussion:
1.Soft board/wood is used to avoid the ticking sound of the
stopwatch from being heard directly by the listeners ears.
2.Smooth wall reflects sound waves more efficiently.

Conclusion
The angle of incidence , i is equal to the angle of reflection , r.

WORKSHEET 1
Draw the pattern of reflected waves and describe its
characteristic. Make a comparison between incident waves and
reflected waves in terms of :
i. angle of incidence , i
ii. angle of reflection , r
iii. wavelength, frequency and speed
iv. direction of propagation of the wave