The reflection coefficient is the complex ratio between reflected and incident wave amplitudes. Its modulus determines amplitude attenuation and its argument determines the phase shift on reflection.
The reflected-to-incident compressional pressure or normal-stress amplitude ratio at a planar interface. For normal incidence between lossless homogeneous media, the displayed expression uses acoustic impedances . The reflected energy fraction is , while a same-coordinate particle-velocity reflection coefficient has the opposite sign.
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The reflection coefficient is a parameter used in various fields, including physics and engineering, to describe how much of an incident wave (such as an electromagnetic wave or acoustic wave) is reflected back from a boundary or interface between two media, compared to the amount that is transmitted through the boundary.