Fixed+Boundary

By: Ed Matta At a fixed boundary, waves are reflected and inverted. For example, when a pulse travels down a rope that is fixed at one end, the reflected pulse is inverted.



The boundary of a medium is where the medium begins or ends. It is the interface between a medium and its surroundings. When a boundary is fixed, it cannot move independently of its surroundings. For example, the end of a rope (the rope is a medium) is fixed if it is rigidly fixed in place. When a wave reaches a fixed boundary it is reflected. The reflected wave out of phase (inverted) relative to the incident wave.
 * Fixed Boundary **