On Apr 9, 9:33*pm, Cecil Moore wrote:
Keith Dysart wrote:
One thought experiment I rather like is the infinite SWR ideal line.
Cut the line at all the current zeroes. The voltage, current, and,
I'd suggest, the energy distribution do not change. The line can
be re-assembled, again with no change.

When you cut the line, you introduce an open circuit
where none existed before. Everything obeys the
distributed network model, at least conceptually.

Before you cut the line, there is no physical
impedance discontinuity and therefore no
reflections. You have to invent complete new
laws of physics for that one. I'm not against
you inventing new laws of physics but you need
to invent them before, not after, you use them. :-)

And yet....

The voltage distribution on the line, the current
distribution on the line and the energy distribution
on the line has not changed one iota.

This new physical impedance discontinuity has not
had any observable effect. All it seems to change
is the reflection of the unobservable forward and
reflected waves.

But the voltage distribution on the line, the current
distribution on the line and the energy distribution
on the line has not changed one iota.

These reflections can not be so important if they
can not be observed.

...Keith