Progressive And Stationary Waves Flashcards
What is a waves amplitude
It’s maximum displacement from its equilibrium position
What is a waves frequency
The number of complete waves that pass a point per second
What is meant by the period of a wave
The length of time taken for one complete wave to pass a given point
How are frequency and period linked
f=1/p
What is wavelength
The distance between the same point on two adjacent waves
Describe a longitudinal wave
-particle oscillations parallel to the direction of the waves motion
-consists of rarefactions and compressions
Describe a longitudinal wave
-particle oscillations parallel to the direction of the waves motion
Describe a transverse wave
-particle oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of the waves motion
What is a progressive wave
One that transfers energy from one point to another without any transfer of matter
What is a standing wave
One that stores energy rather than transferring it
What is a path difference a measure of
How far ahead one wave is compared to another
What is a waves phase
A measure of how far through its cycle a wave is. Usually measured in radians
What is the phase difference between two waves at a given point
The difference between the phases of the two waves. It is a measure of the difference between how far each wave is through its cycle
What happens when two waves meet?
The two waves will interfere with eachother
What happens when two waves meet in phase
They will interfere and undergo constructive interference
