Wave Definitions (C2-C5)

Question 1

vibration/oscillation

Answer 1

the motion of an object that regularly repeats itself back and forth over the same path.

Question 2

periodic motion

Answer 2

oscillation over regular time intervals

Question 3

disturbing force

Answer 3

energy that causes a wave

Question 4

travelling wave

Answer 4

a wave that travels

Question 5

cycle

Answer 5

a repeat of pattern

Question 6

standing wave

Answer 6

The result when two waves of equal wavelengths, frequencies and amplitudes travel in opposite directions and interfere with each other CI and DI.

Question 7

simple harmonic motion

Answer 7

Type of periodic motion when an object oscillates back and forth around an equilibrium position, with a restoring force proportional to its displacement.

Question 8

period

Answer 8

time taken for one complete cycle

Question 9

wave

Answer 9

disturbance that transfers energy through a medium or space without transferring matter

Question 10

equilibrium

Answer 10

Location where opposing forces are balanced

Question 11

amplitude

Answer 11

maximum displacement of wave

Question 12

frequency

Answer 12

amount of cycles completed per unit of time

Question 13

wavelength

Answer 13

distance between two identical points on wave

Question 14

wave height

Answer 14

vertical distance between peak and trough of wave

Question 15

isosynchronous oscillation

Answer 15

oscillations that repeat in the same time period (in-phase). Systems that oscillate with a constant period independent of amplitude.

Question 16

transverse waves

Answer 16

Particles move perpendicular to motion of wave

Question 17

longitudal waves

Answer 17

Particles move parallel to direction of wave

Question 18

wave front

Answer 18

Along crests of wave

Question 19

ray

Answer 19

Indicates direction of wave

Question 20

reflection

Answer 20

When waves bounce off and reflect a boundary.

Question 21

refraction

Answer 21

bending of a wave as it passes from one medium to another with a different density, causing a change in its speed and direction.

Question 22

diffraction

Answer 22

Bending/spreading of waves when they encounter an obstacle or pass through a narrow opening.

Question 23

intensity/energy

Answer 23

describes the amount of energy received by observer for wave

Question 24

incident wave

Answer 24

the initial wave being produced

Question 25

transmitted wave

Answer 25

the wave travelling through a medium

Question 26

reflected wave

Answer 26

the wave that is reflected

Question 27

destructive interference

Answer 27

opposite amplitude, decrease or cancel

Question 28

constructive interference

Answer 28

positive amplitude, increase

Question 29

total internal reflection

Answer 29

When a ray of light passes through a more optically dense medium into air and the angle of refraction is so great that there is essentially no transmitted ray.

Question 30

critical angle

Answer 30

90 degrees. Light ray is travelling along surface.

Question 31

node

Answer 31

A point in a standing wave that appears stationary, caused by destructive interference.

Question 32

anti-node

Answer 32

A point in a standing wave where the amplitude is maximized, caused by constructive interference.

Question 33

resonance

Answer 33

A string's vibration whose frequency is a whole number multiple of a fundamental/first harmonic.

Question 34

loudness

Answer 34

Perceived intensity (related to amplitude)

Question 35

pitch

Answer 35

Perceived frequency

Question 36

quality

Answer 36

How complex a wave may be (organ=rich, flute=pure)

Question 37

huygen's principle

Answer 37

Light is composed of waves. Showed light behaving as a wave when diffracted (double slit)

Question 38

central fringe

Answer 38

The bright/dark spot at the center of an interference pattern.