Boundary Behavior of Waves

The Boundary Behavior of Waves Video Tutorial describes with detail and explains the manner in which waves behave when they reach the end of a medium - whether it be a fixed end, a free end, or a boundary with a second medium. Numerous illustrations and animations are used in the explanations.

The video lesson answers the following questions:

1. How does a wave behave when it reaches a free or fixed end?
2. How does a wave behave when it crosses a boundary from one medium into another?

Video

You can watch the video below, or click here to watch on YouTube (opens in a new tab).

To improve the effectiveness of the learning experience, The Physics Classroom has provided the following tools:

Additional and Related Learning Tools

Physics Interactives: Boundary Behavior of Waves
Our interactive simualtions allow you to playfully alter a variable and observe the result in the form of an animation. Ask a question and pursue the answer. This one on boundary behvior provides a great way to learn.

Minds On Physics, Wave Motion Module, Mission WM5
You can't be sure you understand until you complete the Minds On Physics mission on the topic. Try Mission WM5 to seal up your understanding.

Physics Classroom Tutorial, Vibrations and Waves Chapter, Lesson 3 - Boundary Behavior
When you need to quickly review, brush up, and revisit the ideas in the video, turn to the Physics Classroom Tutorial page that accompanies the video.

Teacher Resources

Curriculum Corner: Wave Motion
Try our Curriculum Corner for a Think Sheet or a whole unit of Think Sheets and get your students thinking about waves. If the video is homework; then these are awesome next day starters. This is free curriculum for the taking. And for a few extra bucks, you can obtain the source documents and purchase a license to place them and any deriviative from them on your course management pages; see the Solutions Guide.

Physics Interactives: Boundary Behavior of Waves
Our interactive simulations allow a student to playfully alter a variable and observe the result in the form of an animation. Ask a question and pursue the answer. This one on boundary behvior provides a great way to learn. Don't miss the classroom ready student activity sheet and the accompanying Concept Checker.

Minds On Physics, Wave Motion Module, Mission WM5
You can't be sure you understand until you complete the Minds On Physics mission on the topic. Try Mission WM5 to seal up your understanding.

Calculator Pad, Vibrations and Waves, Problem Set WM15
Calculator Pad problem sets make for awesome problem-solving practice. They provide problems with random numbers, an answer field, and lots of help. Students enter an answer and have it checked; they can correct it if it's wrong. Problem Set WM15 gives a quantitative spin to the topic of wave behavior.

Physics Classroom Tutorial, Vibrations and Waves Chapter, Lesson 3 - Boundary Behavior
Our written tutorial pages provide a thorough, easy-to-understand, common-sense approach to Physics topics. This particular page addresses the same topics covered in the video. As such, it makes a great reference for a quick check-up or clarification of an idea.

Lesson Notes

Download (opens in a new tab) or view below

Slides

Do you like the slides we used? They are available in our low cost Teacher Presentation Pack, along with other updated materials used in our presentation.