3.1 Progressive and stationary waves Flashcards

1
Q

Define amplitude.

A

Maximum displacement of the wave from its equilibrium position.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Define frequency.

A

The number of wave cycles passing through a point per second.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Define Wavelength.

A

The distance between two idential points on a wave.

e.g. two adjacent troughs/peaks on a wave.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Define time period.

A

The time to complete one wave cycle.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is the equation for wave speed?

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the equation linking frequency and time period?

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What do the letters represent in this equation?

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Define phase.

A

Position of a certain point on a wave cycle.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is phase difference?

A

How much a wave lags behind another wave.

Measured as angles (radians and degrees) or fractions of a cycle

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is a progressive wave?

A

Waves that carry energy between points.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is a longitudinal wave?

A

Direction of vibration of the particles/fields is parallel to the direction of energy propagation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is a transverse wave?

A

Direction of vibration of the particles/fields is perpendicular to the direction of energy propagation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What type of wave is a sound wave?

A

Longitudinal

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What type of wave is a electromagnetic wave?

A

Transverse

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What does it mean for a wave to be polarised?

A

The wave oscillates only in one direction.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

How is polarisation used as evidence of the nature of transverse waves?

A

Polarisation can only occur if a wave’s oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of motion

17
Q

How does a polarisation filter work?

A

Blocks all oscillations not parallel to the filter’s transmission axis.

18
Q

What is the principle of superposition?

A

When two waves meet, the total displacement at a point is equal to the sum of the individual displacements at that point.

19
Q

What is a stationary wave?

A

A wave which transfers no energy and whose positions of maximum and minimum amplitude are constant.

20
Q

What is constructive interference?

A

When two waves meet and are in phase.

21
Q

What is destructive interference?

A

When two waves meet and are 180o out of phase

22
Q

What are nodes?

A

A point on a stationary wave where the displacement is 0.

Point of destructive interference

23
Q

What are antinodes?

A

A point on a stationary wave with maximum displacement.

Point of constructive interference

24
Q

What is the distance between adjacent nodes?

A

Half a wavelength

Same for adjacent antinodes

25
How are stationary waves formed?
* The waves must be of the same frequency, wavelength and amplitude. * They must be travelling in opposite directions.
26
What is the equation for the first harmonic?
27
What do the letters represent in this equation?
28
What is the nth harmonic?
## Footnote n times the first harmonic
29
What do the letters represent in this equation?