Waves Flashcards
What is a progressive wave?
How are the particles in a progressive wave affected to allow them to function as a wave?
An oscillation that travels through matter (or in some cases a vacuum), transferring energy from one place to another, but not transferring any matter.
The particles in the matter vibrate as the wave passes through them, but they do not move along with the wave.
What are the two types of progressive wave?
Transversal and longitudinal.
Explain transversal waves.
What are some examples?
What are features of transversal waves?
The oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of (wave travel/energy transfer/direction of motion)
Some examples are EM waves and waves on the surface of water.
They have peaks and troughs, which are the maximum and minimum points on a transversal wave.
Explain longitudinal waves.
What are the features?
The oscillations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer, such as sound waves.
They have areas of compression, where particles are closer together, and areas of rarefaction, where particles are more spread out.
Define displacement in terms of waves.
The distance from the equilibrium position in a particular direction
Define amplitude in terms of waves.
The maximum displacement from the origin.
Define wavelength.
The minimum distance between two adjacent points on a wave oscillating in phase.
Define Period
The time taken for a full oscillation of one wavelength to pass a given point.
Define Frequency
The number of complete oscillations passing a given point per unit time.
Define wave speed.
The distance travelled by a wave per unit time.
What is phase difference?
The difference in displacement of particles along a wave, or in 2 different waves, measured in radians.
What does it mean if particles/waves oscillate in step with eachother?
They are in phase, and their phase difference will be a multiple of 2pi.
How can phase difference be calculated if particles/waves oscillate out of phase?
The equation (x / Lambda) X 2pi can be used.
x is the separation in wavelengths between two particles.
