Fixed end reflection (waves)

Question

aabomosalam1998 · Answer

Consider an elastic rope attached at one end of a pole on a lab bench while the other end will be held in the hand in order to produce disturbances into the medium. As the wave approaches the fixed end suppose the last particle was displaced upwards from its rest position, our system is within a confined space and is fixed at one end so that last particle cannot move. According to Newton’s 3rd law, for every action there is an equal but opposite reaction, therefore the particle is displaced downwards. How can an inverted pulse be created?

aabomosalam1998 · Answer

I also think that reasoning why such a phenomena occurs in term of forces is vague, how will the description fit explaining the behavior electromagnetic waves. There are gaps in my understanding of waves , I can't fully grasp its properties and how particles interact when a disturbance is introduced into the medium

osprey · Answer

you are probably not the only one who frowns at this one, and rushes off to the next formula. At the moment, I'd treat this more as a discussion point, though. It "just so happens" that the phases change the way they do, and, possibly, various "excuses" are made to accommodate it. PERHAPS a bit like the concept of "fictitious forces" such as the notorious centrifugal force. Brought in "under the pretext" of an accelerating reference frame ... Keep me posted. Bon chance, et bon voyage http://perendis.webs.com