11 - Waves Flashcards
Amplitude
The maximum displacement of a wave from its equilibrium.
Antinodes
Points of maximum displacement in a stationary wave.
Coherence
Waves with a constant phase difference and the same frequency.
Constructive Interference
When two waves are in phase, their amplitudes add together.
Critical Angle
The angle of incidence that results in an angle of refraction of 90°.
Destructive Interference
When two waves are out of phase, their amplitudes cancel out.
Diffraction
The spreading of waves as they pass through a gap or around an obstacle.
Displacement
The distance from the equilibrium position of a wave.
Electromagnetic Spectrum
A range of electromagnetic waves including gamma rays, X-rays, UV, visible light, infrared, microwaves, and radiowaves.
Electromagnetic Waves
Waves with perpendicular electric and magnetic fields.
Frequency
The number of waves that pass a point in a given time.
Fundamental Mode of Vibration
The simplest oscillation of a wave at its natural frequency.
Intensity
The power per unit area carried by a wave, proportional to the square of the amplitude.
Interference
The interaction of two waves superimposing their displacements.
Longitudinal Waves
Waves where the oscillations are parallel to the direction of wave propagation, e.g., sound waves.
Nodes
Points of minimum displacement in a stationary wave.
Oscilloscope
A device for displaying and analyzing waveforms.
Polarisation
Restricting the vibrations of a wave to one direction (only transverse waves can be polarized).
Progressive Waves
Waves that transfer energy without transferring matter.
Reflection
The bouncing back of a wave when it hits a boundary.
Refraction
The bending of waves as they move into a different medium.
Refractive Index
A ratio describing how light changes speed when it enters a different medium.
Stationary Wave
A wave that doesn’t transfer energy, with fixed nodes and antinodes.
Superposition
The principle that the displacements of two overlapping waves add together.
Total Internal Reflection
A phenomenon where light is completely reflected within a medium.
Transverse Waves
Waves where the oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of propagation.
Wave Speed
The product of the frequency and wavelength of a wave.
Wavelength
The distance between two identical points on adjacent waves.
Young Double-Slit Experiment
An experiment that demonstrates the diffraction of light by passing monochromatic light across two narrow slits and observing the resulting pattern of bright and dark fringes.
