Module 4 - Waves (Diffraction and Polarisation) Flashcards
1
Q
What is meant by polarisation
A
restricting a transverse wave to oscillate in a single plane
2
Q
What is meant by unpolarised light
A
When light radiates in all planes
3
Q
Why cant longitudinal waves be polarised
A
All oscillations are already parallel to the direction of energy transfer meaning it is already in one plane and therefore effectively already polarised
4
Q
What is meant by partial polarisation
A
- When a wave has more oscillations in one plane than another
5
Q
What is meant by diffraction
A
The spreading out of a wavefront as it passed through a gap or passed and objecT
6
Q
What characteristics remain the same during diffraction
A
- The wave speed, because the medium doesnt change
- frequency, because it is determined from the source
7
Q
When are the effects of diffraction the most significant
A
When the width of the gap is comparable to the wavlength of a wave
