When a wave passes through a barrier, such as a boundary between two different media or an obstacle, the amplitude of the wave can be affected. However, whether the amplitude changes depends on the specific characteristics of the barrier and the nature of the wave.
In general, there are three possible scenarios when a wave encounters a barrier:
Reflection: When a wave encounters a boundary or obstacle, it can undergo reflection, where a portion of the wave is bounced back into the original medium. In this case, the amplitude of the reflected wave can be different from the incident wave depending on the properties of the barrier and the nature of the wave. The change in amplitude during reflection depends on factors such as the impedance mismatch between the media, the angle of incidence, and the reflective properties of the barrier.
Transmission: Part of the wave can also pass through the barrier and continue propagating in the new medium. The amplitude of the transmitted wave can be different from the incident wave, depending on factors such as the impedance mismatch between the media, the angle of incidence, and the transmissive properties of the barrier. It's important to note that the transmitted wave can be attenuated or attenuated depending on the barrier properties.
Absorption: In some cases, a portion of the wave energy can be absorbed by the barrier, resulting in a reduction in amplitude. This is particularly relevant when dealing with waves interacting with materials that have absorption characteristics.
It's important to emphasize that the change in amplitude of a wave when passing through a barrier is not always predictable without detailed knowledge of the barrier properties and the wave characteristics. The behavior of waves at barriers is often studied through wave equations and boundary conditions specific to the particular system under consideration.