GCSE Physics (AQA)

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Waves & Boundaries

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Waves Waves in air, fluids and solids

Waves & Boundaries

3:47 Transmission, Reflection and Absorption
Spec 4.6.1.3
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  • A boundary is where a wave transitions from one medium to another.
  • Two media can differ due to different materials or conditions.
  • Examples of media include air and glass, a plastic bottle and its contents, or varying water depths.
  • The line where two media meet is called a boundary.
  • A wave transfers energy without transferring matter and can be a light wave, sound wave, etc.
  • When a wave reaches a boundary, several outcomes are possible:
  • Transmission: The wave passes into the second medium, potentially changing direction, wavelength, and speed.
  • Reflection: The wave changes direction to remain in the first medium, such as in mirrors or sound echoes.
  • Absorption: The wave is stopped at the boundary, with its energy absorbed by the second medium, as in soundproof rooms or ovens.
  • Wave energy can be split between transmission, reflection, and absorption.
  • Examples include light and frosted glass, where transmission, reflection, and absorption occur simultaneously.
  • Reflected and transmitted waves have smaller amplitudes due to less energy.
  • Understanding definitions and recognizing these effects is important, but predicting them for specific waves and boundaries is not required for exams.

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