MadSci Network: Physics
Query:

Subject: Can waves reflect waves?

Date: Sat Oct 9 12:36:42 1999
Posted by No name entered.
Grade level: No grade entered. School: No school entered.
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Area of science: Physics
ID: 939487002.Ph
Message:

I previously submitted this question, and was told that the answer 
existed on your site.  I understand your wish to save resources.  To this 
end, I searched extensively (including your database) before asking the 
question.  Perhaps my question lacked clarity; I appologize.

I am not interested in standing waves or interference.

When a wave hits a mirror at 30 degrees, it is reflected at 150 degrees.
The wave is reflected in a very particular way.  Other solid mater can
reflect light in a manner that is dependant on the angle of incidence.

Is there any way that light can reflect light in a manner that is dependant
on the angle of incidence?

EM waves pass through each other without any directly effect.  It is this
transparent quality of waves that allows standing waves and interference.

But what about a wave reflecting from another wave?

When two waves share some common space, do they always pass through each
other?  Can the presence of a second wave change the direction of
propagation of the first wave?

Thank you again.






Re: Can waves reflect waves?

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