Waves Definitions Flashcards
Node and anti node
Node- min displacement
Anti node- max displacement
Coherence
Waves with same frequency and constant phase difference
Destructive and constructive interference
Destructive- waves meet are antiphase
Constructive- waves meet in phase
Diffraction
Waves spread out as it passes through gap of similar size to its wavelength
Frequency and period
Freq- number of waves per second
Period- time for one wave
Path difference
How far ahead a wave is compared to another wave
Phase difference
Difference in phase between two points on wave
Polarisation
When wave oscillates in one plane. Only for transverse waves
Progressive and stationary
Pro- transfers energy without transferring matter
Sta- stores energy
Longitudinal
oscillations parallel to direction of energy propagation and cannot travel through vacuum
eg. Sound
Transverse
Oscillations perpendicular to direction of energy propagation
e.g EM waves
Critical angle
Angle of incident that results in 90 angle of refraction, along boundary line
Refractive index
C/V
TIR/ total internal reflection
Angle of incidence greater that critical angle
Reflections and refraction
Reflect- angle of incidence equal to angle of refraction
Refract- change of speed as it passes to new medium, if denser it slows down
Young double slit
Demonstrates diffraction and wave properties of light by passing mono light across two slits and observing fringes
How to determine frequency with oscilloscope
• Read x axis which it time
• Find time period by measuring between adjacent peaks
