3.1 The nature of waves Flashcards
Define progressive wave
A progressive wave is a disturbance, or sequence of disturbances, travelling through a medium, taking energy with it, but not the particles of the material with it
Define transverse wave
The particles of the medium are displaced at right angles to the direction of wave travel
Define linearly polarised
A transverse wave where the displacements are in just one of the directions at right angles to the direction of wave travel
Define longitudinal wave
The particles of the mdeium are displaced parallel to the direction of wave travel
Define cycle
The smallest portion of an oscillation, starting at any point, which repeats exactly
Define amplitude
The maximum value of the displacement of an oscillation
Define period
The time for one cycle of an oscillation
Define frequency
The number of cycles per unit time
What does it mean if oscillations are in phase?
The oscillations are at the same point in their cycle at the same time
Define wavelength
The distance between consecutive particles that are oscillating in phase
Define wavefront
A surface at all points on which the oscillations are in phase
