Chapter 3 - Waves Flashcards
What is a Progressive Wave?
A Progressive Wave is a wave that carries energy from one place to another.
Define Displacement
Displacement is how far a point on the wave has moved from its undisturbed pattern.
Define Amplitude
The Amplitude of a wave is the maximum magnitude of Displacement from the Equilibrium Point.
Define Wavelength
The Wavelength is the length of one whole wave Oscillation.
Define Period
The Period is the time taken for one whole wave cycle.
Define Frequency
The Frequency of a wave is the number of whole wave Oscillation per second passing a given point.
Define Phase
The Phase is the measurement of the position of a certain point along the Wave Cycle.
Define Phase Difference
The Phase Difference is the amount by which one wave “lags” behind another wave.
Frequency and Period are linked, What is the equation that links Frequency and Period?
Frequency = 1/ Time Period
What are the two equations for Wave Speed?
c (Wave Speed) = d (Distance) / t (Time)
c (Wave Speed) = f (Frequency) X λ (Wavelength)
What is the speed of Electromagnetic (EM) Waves in a Vacuum?
C is often used as the speed of light in a vacuum. All EM Waves, including light, travel at a speed of 3.00X10^8m/s
Name all the types of Electromagnetic Waves
All EM Waves
(biggest wavelength to smallest) :
Radiowave
Microwave
Infrared Radiation
Visible Light
Ultraviolet
X-Rays
Gamma Rays
What is a Transverse and Longitudinal Wave?
A Transverse Wave is a wave that oscillates at a right angle to the direction of energy propagation.
A Longitudinal Wave is a wave that oscillates parallel to energy propagation.
Name a Transverse Wave
Any Electromagnetic Wave:
Radiowave, microwave, infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet, x-ray and gamma rays.
S-Waves
Name a Longitudinal Wave
Sound Waves
P Waves
What is a Polarised Wave?
A Polarised Wave is a Wave that Oscillates in one direction only.
What happens if you shine a light through two Polarising Filters are at right angles to eachother?
As the wave gets polarised in one direction, the light cannot pass through the second polarising filter, meaning no light appears at the other end.
True or false, Polarisation can only happen for Transverse Waves
True, Polarisation can only occur in Transverse waves as Transverse waves Oscillate at right angles
True or false, Polarisation can only happen for Longitudinal Waves
False, Polarisation can only occur in Transverse waves as Transverse waves Oscillate at right angles
How are polarising filters used in antennas
TV and radio signals are usually plane polarised by the orientation of the rods on the transmitting aerial, so the receiving aerial must be aligned in the same plane of polarisation to receive the signal at full strength.
What is a Stationary Wave?
A Stationary Wave is a wave which transfers NO energy and whose positions of maximum and minimum amplitude are constant.
What is a Node?
A point on a Stationary Wave where the displacement is 0
What is an Antinode
An Antinode is the point on a stationary wave where there is maximum displacement from the equilibrium point
What are the conditions for a Stationary Wave to be produced?
• The waves must be Coherent (Same Frequency, Wavelength and Phase Difference) and have the same Amplitude
•They must be travelling in opposite directions
How are Stationary Waves produced?
A Stationary Wave is formed from the Superposition of 2 Progressive Waves, travelling in opposite directions in the same plane, with the same Frequency, Wavelength and Amplitude.
Describe the First Harmonic for a Stationary Wave with two closed ends
It consists if 2 Nodes at either end and an Antinode in the middle. Image
Describe the Second Harmonic for a Stationary Wave with one open and one closed end.
The Second Harmonic consists of two Nodes and two Antinodes, with one of the Nodes at the closed end and one of the Antinodes at the open end.
