2.1 Waves Flashcards
2 types of waves
Longitudinal
Transverse
Longitudinal wave
Vibration of the particles/medium is parallel to the direction of energy flow
E.g. sound
Transverse wave
Vibration of the particles/medium is perpendicular to the direction of energy flow
E.g. water waves
Travelling/progressive wave
Wave which transfers energy away from the source in the medium without transferring the medium itself
Frequency
Number of vibrations/oscillations per second
Hz
Wavelength
Distance between 2 successive points on a wave that are in phase
Unit: m
Period
Time for one complete oscillation
Unit: s
Amplitude
Maximum displacement of a particle from its rest position
Unit: m
In phase
When peaks line up with peaks and troughs line up with troughs
What is the term used when peaks line up with phase?
Waves are completely out of phase
Phase difference of 2 waves
Distance between peak of one wave and the peak of another wave
Formula to work out phase difference
Difference/1 cycle
Polarisation
Name given to process of confining a transverse wave to vibrations that are in one plane
Unpolarised light
Vibrations in all possible directions perpendicular to the direction of transfer of energy
Polarised light
Light which has oscillations in one plane only