Wave Motion Flashcards
chapter 11 (15 cards)
Define wave
A wave is a propagation of a disturbance which transfers energy from one point to another without the physical transfer of matter.
Define transverse wave
Transverse wave is a wave in which the oscillation of the particles are perpendicular to the direction of the propagation of the wave.
Define longitudinal wave
Longitudinal wave is a wave in which the oscillation of the particles are parallel to the direction of propagation of the wave.
Define frequency
Frequency is the number of oscillations performed by a particle per unit time.
Define period
Period is the time taken for a particle to undergo one complete cycle of oscillation.
Define wave front
Wave front is an imaginary line joining all the points of the wave that have the same phase.
Define ray
A ray is the line drawn in the direction of the wave motion which is used to indicate the path taken by the wave.
Define phase difference
Phase difference is a measure of how much one wave is out of step with another wave.
Δφ = 2π (Δt / T)
Δφ = 2π (Δx/ λ)
Define phase
Phase of a particle refers the the stage of an oscillation the particle is in at a particular instant. (pi or degree)
Define intensity
Intensity of a wave is the rate of flow of energy per unit area perpendicular to the direction is the wave.
State relationship between intensity and amplitude
Intensity proportional to square of amplitude
State relationship between intensity and distance from source(r)
Intensity inversely proportional to square of r.
State relationship between amplitude and distance from source ( r)
Amplitude inversely proportional to r
Define polarisation
Polarisation is a process by which a wave’s oscillations are made to occur in a single plane only.
