Chapter 14, Problem 71A

To determine

The difference of the incident pulse from the reflected pulse from a rigid wall.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

When a pulse travels through a medium and confronts to a rigid medium then pulse reflected back in the same medium. The wavelength, speed and frequency of the reflected wave remain same as the incident pulse. The direction of the reflected pulse become opposite to the direction of the incident pulse.

The general expression of the incident pulse is given as $y=a\sin \omega t$ . The incident pulse reflected back and travels opposite to the incident pulse. The expression of the reflected wave is given as $y=a\sin \left(\omega t+\varphi \right)$ . The only difference between the expression of incident pulse and reflected pulse is the variable $\varphi$ . This variable is called the phase difference and its value for the reflected pulse is $180°$ .

Conclusion:

Thus, the phase difference differs the incident pulse from the reflected pulse from the rigid wall.