Nature of waves Flashcards
Definition of a Progressive wave:
A pattern of disturbances travelling through a medium and carrying energy with it, involving the particles of the medium oscillating about their equilibrium position. It does not involve the transfer of matter.
Examples and definition of transverse waves
The oscillations of the particles are at right angles to the direction of travel of the wave.
Examples: Light(all em waves, s-seismic waves)
Examples and definition of longitudinal waves
The oscillations of the particles are parallel to the direction of travel of the wave.
Examples: (sound waves and p-seismic waves)
wavelength definition
The wavelength of a progressive wave is the minimum distance between to points on the wave oscillating in phase
Frequency
The frequency of a wave is the number of cycles of a wave that pass a given point in one second.
Amplitude
Distance from the middle of the wave to the crest. The greater the amplitude the more energy the wave is carrying.
Speed
The distance travelled by the wave in 1 second or velocity of a wave is the distance that the wave profile moves per unit time.
Definition of phase
The term is used to describe the relationship between the pattern of vibration of two points on a wave.
Definition of phase difference
Is the difference in position of 2 points within a cycle of oscillation.
When are points on a wave oscillating in phase?
When they are multiples of 360 degrees or 2pi radians
when are points on a wave oscillating in anti phase?
When they are 180 degrees or pi radians out of phase.
Do all points on wave fronts oscillate in phase and are wave propagation directions (rays) at right angles to wave fronts.
Yes and yes
wave equation
c=f x lambda
What is a polarised wave
A polarised wave is a transverse wave in which particle oscillations occur in only one of the directions at right angles to the direction of wave propagation
Can you polarise longitudinal waves
No because particles vibrate in the same direction it travels
