Reflection & Impedance

What happens at the end of the line

An interactive lesson with 6 steps, about 5 minutes: you predict, drag and solve, with instant feedback on every answer. It runs in your browser and needs JavaScript.

What you’ll learn

• Fixed ends reflect waves inverted; free ends reflect them upright.
• Reflected amplitude fraction $\frac{Z_1 - Z_2}{Z_1 + Z_2}$; energy fraction is its square.
• Impedance matching (like ultrasound gel) lets waves pass through boundaries.

Steps

1. Hitting the wall
2. Why upside down?
3. Impedance
4. Half and half
5. Why ultrasound needs gel
6. Light rope, heavy rope