Guided Wave Formation in Thin Plates

Physics: An incident wave enters the plate and undergoes multiple reflections. At each interface, mode conversion occurs (longitudinal ↔ shear) according to Snell's law. The rays show how these multiply-reflected waves can constructively interfere to form guided modes.

Longitudinal Waves

Shear Waves

Plate Material

Incident Angle (degrees): 30°

Max Reflections: 6

Material Properties: Steel plate (Longitudinal velocity: 5900 m/s, Shear velocity: 3200 m/s)
Observation: Watch how rays of the same color (wave type) maintain consistent angles, demonstrating the phase velocity matching requirement for guided wave formation.