3.3.1.1 Waves: Progressive waves Flashcards
What is a progressive wave?
A wave which transfers energy without transferring material and is made up of particles of a medium oscillating.
What is the amplitude of a wave?
The maximum displacement of a wave from its position of equilibrium (m)
What is the frequency of a wave?
The number of complete oscillations passing a point per second (Hz)
What is the wavelength of a wave?
The length of one whole oscillation (distance between successive peaks/troughs) (m)
What is the speed of a wave?
Distance travelled by the wave per unit time
What is the phase of a wave?
The position of a certain point on a wave cycle (radians, degrees or fractions of a cycle)
What is the phase difference of a wave?
How much a particle/ wave leads by or lags behind another particle/wave (radians, degrees or fractions of a wave cycle)
What is the period of a wave?
Time taken for one full oscillation (s)
When are 2 points on a wave in phase?
If they are both on the same point on the wave cycle (so have the same displacement and velocity) and their phase difference will be a multiple of 360 degrees (2pi rad). They must have the same frequency and wavelength, but not the same amplitude.
When are 2 points completely out of phase?
Must be an odd integer of half cycles apart.
