Chapter 11 - Waves 1 Flashcards
Displacement
Distance from the equilibrium position.
Amplitude
Maximum displacement from equilibrium position.
Wavelength
Minimum distance between 2 points in phase on adjacent waves.
Period of Oscillation
Time taken for a wave to move one wavelength past a given point.
Frequency
Number of wavelengths passing a given point per unit time.
Wave Speed
Distance travelled by a wave per unit time.
Phase Difference
The difference between the peaks of two different waves.
Specular Reflection
When light hits a smooth surface, and angle of incidence = angle of reflection.
Diffuse Reflection
When light hits a bumpy surface, and it scatters.
Refraction
A wave changes direction when travelling from one medium to another.
Diffraction
When a wave travels through a gap or around an obstacle and spreads out.
Intensity
The amount of energy per second per square meter of surface.
Refractive Index
A measure of how much a substance can refract a light ray.
Snell’s Law
n1sinθ1 = n2sinθ2
Radio Waves Wavelength
10⁶ to 10⁻¹
