Abstract:

The half wave loss of mechanical wave has confused the scientists for a long time.Although it has been proved by the mathematical method,the proof focuses mostly on the mathematical derivation and fails to offer a clearly physical picture.In this paper,the half wave loss of mechanical wave is explained by a physical method in terms of boundary conditions in order to give a clearly physical picture for it.The reflected wave and the transmitted wave caused by a fixed end and a free end on a string are also discussed.

Key words: mechanical wave;half wave loss;fixed end;free end