wave properties Flashcards
properties of transverse waves
they have peaks and troughs
their vibrations are right angled to the direction of travel
example: light waves
properties of longitudinal waves
consists of compressions + rarefactions
vibrations are the same direction as the direction of travel
examples: sound waves
amplitude
the distance from the equilibrium to the max placement
wavefront
a line joining points on a wave at the same point in their wave cycle at a given time
frequency
the number of waves that pass a single point per second
F = 1/T
wavelength
the distance between a point on one a wave + the same point on the next wave
time period
the time taken for one complete wave to pass a fixed point
speed equation
frequency x wavelength
what is the doppler effect
when a wave source is moving relative to an observer there will be a change in the observed frequency and wavelength
law of reflection
angle of incidence = angle of reflection
what is reflection?
Waves are reflected when travelling from a medium of low optical density to a high optical density
What is refraction?
refaction occurs when a wave changes speed and direction when the wave enters a more dense medium or a less dense meadium
