Physics AQA Unit 2 - Waves

A quick mindmap for those struggling with wave properties

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  • Created by: zach
  • Created on: 20-03-13 16:05
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  • WAVES
    • Reflection
      • Straight waves directed at acertain angle to a hard flat surface reflect off at the same angle.
    • Refraction
      • Occurs when waves pass into different material changing the wave speed
        • The direction of motion is also changed.
          • Also changes wavelength
      • Also changes wavelength
    • Diffraction
      • A wave is passed through a tiny gap
        • The narrower the gap, the more the waves spread out.
        • The longer the wavelength, the more the waves spread out.
    • Types of Waves
      • Longitudinal
        • When the direction of virbation is parallel to the direction of the wave.
        • E.g. Sound Waves
      • Transverse
        • When the direction of the vibration is perpendicular to the direction of the wave.
        • E.g. Electromagnetic Waves
    • Polarisation
      • Transverse waves are plane-polarised, if they stick to one plane.
      • Longitudinal can not be ploarised as they switch from plane to pane leaving them unpolarised.
    • Masuring Waves
      • Key Terms
        • Displacement
          • Distance and direction from a particles orgianl position
        • Amplitude
          • Maximum displacement of a vibrating particle.
        • Wavelength
          • Distance between two peaks
        • One complete cycle
          • From one peak to the next
        • Period
          • Time for one complete wave to pass a fixed point
        • Frequency
          • The number of cycles per second (hertz)
      • Wave speed
        • c = f λ
      • Phase Difference
        • cycle=360 deg =2π
          • Phase dif = 2πd / λ
    • Superposition
      • When two waves meet, the toatal displacement at a point is equal to the sum of the individual displacements at that point.
      • Where a crest meets a crest, a supercrest is created, the two waves reinforce each other.
      • Where a trough meets a trough, a supertrough is created, reinforcing one another.

Comments

miriamtenquist

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this is really great, but is there a way you could make it more spread out so some of the boxes aren't covered.thanks ***

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