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Re: Wave phase reversal on reflection



On Tue, 25 Apr 2000 22:16:12 -0400 Bob Sciamanda <trebor@VELOCITY.NET>
writes:
Yes, but what is the physical mechanism whereby the cancelling,
reflected wave is generated? Perhaps something like: When an upward
going vertical pulse on a rope encounters a rigid wall termination, the
last rope segment exerts an
upward force on the wall. The wall responds by exerting a downward
pull on
the rope segment (by N3), thus starting a downward going vertical pulse

on the rope.

Bob....

An excellent try ! I really like it!!

The only trouble with the explanation above is that students "know"
that a stupid wall does not have the brains or the muscles to exert
a downward pull ....(unless the wall starts to collapse and fall down
while
the string is attached). Perhaps it might be better to say that the
rigid wall termination provides a reaction that has the "same effect
as a person supplying a downward force on the rope". ......
but I'm sure that someone can provide a much better wording that
I can at the spur of the moment.

Herb
on the