A wave is a regular vibration which transfers energy without transferring matter.
1 of 17
Wavelength
The distance from one wave peak to the next.
2 of 17
Frequency
How many complete waves there are per second passing a certain point. It is measured in hertz. Frequency = 1 / Period
3 of 17
Amplitude
The height of the wave from rest to crest.
4 of 17
Speed
The speed of the wave. Speed = Frequency x Wavelength
5 of 17
Period
The time it takes for one complete wave to pass a point. Period = 1 / Frequency
6 of 17
Transverse
When the vibrations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer. For example, light waves are transverse.
7 of 17
Longitudinal
When the vibrations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer. For example, sound waves are longitudinal.
8 of 17
Reflection
When waves rebound off a material.
9 of 17
Refraction
The change in the direction of the wave due to its change in speed when entering a medium of a different density.
10 of 17
Diffraction
The spreading out of a wave when it bends around edges or through gaps. The amount of diffraction depends on the size of gap relative to the wavelength.
11 of 17
Normal
An imaginary line perpendicular to the surface of the material, drawn as a dashed line at the point where the wave hits the surface.
12 of 17
Refractive index
An indication of how strongly a particular material changes the direction of light. It equals the speed of light in a vacuum divided by the speed of light in the material (n=c/v).
13 of 17
Critical angle
The angle of incidence where the angle of refraction becomes greater than 90°.
14 of 17
Total internal reflection
The complete reflection of a light ray reaching an interface with a less dense medium when the angle of incidence exceeds the critical angle.
15 of 17
Snell's Law
n = sin(i)/sin(r) = 1/sin(C)
16 of 17
Oscilloscope
A device which can display sound waves as a trace on a screen.
17 of 17
Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
The distance from one wave peak to the next.
Back
Wavelength
Card 3
Front
How many complete waves there are per second passing a certain point. It is measured in hertz. Frequency = 1 / Period
Back
Card 4
Front
The height of the wave from rest to crest.
Back
Card 5
Front
The speed of the wave. Speed = Frequency x Wavelength
Comments
No comments have yet been made