Waves definitions

Question 1

Progressive wave

Answer 1

Transports energy from one point to another in the direction of wave propagation

Question 2

Amplitude

Answer 2

Magnitude of maximum displacement of a particle in the wave from its equilibrium position

Question 3

Period

Answer 3

Time taken for a particle of a wave to complete one oscillation

Question 4

Frequency

Answer 4

Number of oscillations per unit time

Question 5

Wavelength

Answer 5

The distance between two consecutive points which are in phase

Question 6

Speed

Answer 6

The speed at which the wave shape moves

Question 7

Phase or phase angle

Answer 7

An angle that gives a measure of the fraction of a cycle that has been completed by oscillating a particle or by a wave

Question 8

Phase difference

Answer 8

A measure of the fraction of a cycle which one is ahead of the other

Question 9

Wavefront

Answer 9

A line or surface joining points on a wave that are in phase. The wave travels in a direction that is perpendicular to the wavefront

Question 10

Intensity

Answer 10

The rate of transfer of energy per unit area normal to the direction of energy transfer of the wave

Question 11

Transverse wave

Answer 11

One in which its particles oscillate in a direction perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer

Question 12

Longitudinal wave

Answer 12

One in which its particles oscillate in a direction parallel to the direction of energy transfer

Question 13

Polarisation

Answer 13

A phenomenon whereby the oscillations of the wave particles in transverse waves are restricted to one direction only and this direction is perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer