are vibrating electric and magnetic fields that progress through space and do not need a substance to travel through.
2 of 21
Longitudinal Waves
waves in which the direction of vibration of the particles is parallel to the direction the wave travels.
3 of 21
Transverse Waves
waves in which the direction of vibration of the particles is perpendicular to the direction in which the wave travels.
4 of 21
Plane-Polarised Waves
transverse waves which have vibrations in one plane only.
5 of 21
Displacement of a Vibrating Particle
the distance and direction from its equilibrium position
6 of 21
Amplitude
maximum displacement of a vibrating particle. (measure from middle to maximum positive or maximum negative, not maximum positive to maximum negative)
7 of 21
Wavelength
the least distance between two adjacent vibrating particles with the same displacement and velocity at the same time.
8 of 21
Period of a wave
time for one complete wave to pass a fixed point
9 of 21
Frequency
the number of cycles of vibration of a particle per second, or the number of complete waces passing a point per second. Measured in hertz (Hz)
10 of 21
Speed of a wave (c)
distance traveled in one cycle/time taken for one cycle
11 of 21
Phase difference between two vibrating particles
the fraction of a cycle between the vibrations of the two particles. 1 cycle=360 degrees= 2π radians
12 of 21
Phase difference in radians
2πd/λ
13 of 21
Reflection
straight waves directed at a certain angle to a hard, flat surface reflect off at the same angle.
14 of 21
Refraction
when waves pass along a boundary at which the speed changes, the wavelength also changes. If the wave fronts are at a non-zero angle to the boundary, they change direction too.
15 of 21
Diffraction
when waves spread out after passing through a gap or round an obstacle. The narrower the gap, the more the waves spread out.
16 of 21
Superposition
when waves meet, they combine for an instant before moving apart.
17 of 21
The Principle of Superposition
when two waves meet, the total displacement at a point is equal to the sum of the individual displacements at that point.
18 of 21
Supercrest
where a crest meets a crest; the two waves reinforce each otherq
19 of 21
Supertrough
where a trough meets a trough; the two waves reinforce each other.
20 of 21
Cancellation
when a crest meets a trough, the resultant displacement is zero
21 of 21
Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
are vibrating electric and magnetic fields that progress through space and do not need a substance to travel through.
Back
Electromagnetic Waves
Card 3
Front
waves in which the direction of vibration of the particles is parallel to the direction the wave travels.
Back
Card 4
Front
waves in which the direction of vibration of the particles is perpendicular to the direction in which the wave travels.
Back
Card 5
Front
transverse waves which have vibrations in one plane only.
Comments
Report