Key definitions

Question 1

Amplitude

Answer 1

Maximum displacement of a vibrating particle from its equilibrium position

Question 2

coherence

Answer 2

waves with same frequency and constant phase difference

Question 3

constructive interference

Answer 3

interference when two waves are in phase

Question 4

destructive interference

Answer 4

interference when two waves are in antiphase, produces a minimum point if one particle as at the trough and one at the peak

Question 5

diffraction

Answer 5

spread of a wave as it passes over a gap or edge

Question 6

frequency

Answer 6

number of complete wave oscillations per second

Question 7

fundamental frequency

Answer 7

oscillation of an object forming the lowest possible frequency for that object

Question 8

longitudinal wave

Answer 8

Wave where particles oscillate parallel to direction of propagation and energy transfer. Form series of compressions and rarefactions

Question 9

Node

Answer 9

Point on a stationary wave where the incoming and reflected wave are in antiphase, forming a minimum point

Question 10

Period

Answer 10

Time taken for a wave to complete a full cycle

Question 11

Huygens principle

Answer 11

Every point on a wavefront can be treated as a point source of a secondary wavelet

Question 12

Stationary wave

Answer 12

Wave that stores energy instead of transferring it

Question 13

Superposition

Answer 13

When two or more waves meet at the same point, a resultant wave is formed which is the vector sum of the displacements of each point on the individual waves