P1 - A spectrum of waves Flashcards
What is a transverse wave?
A transverse wave travels in a direction at right angles to the wave vibration.
What is the amplitude of a wave?
The amplitude of a wave is the maximum displacement of a particle from its rest position.
What is the wavelength?
The distance between two points on a wave (peak to peak or trough to trough).
What is the frequency of a wave?
The frequency of a wave is the number of complete waves passing a point in 1 second.
What is the formula for wave speed?
Wave speed = frequency x wavelength
What can all transverse waves do?
they can:
- be reflected
- be refracted
- travel in a straight line though a medium
What is diffraction?
Diffraction is when waves pass through an opening and they spread out.
In a diffraction experiment, why should the gap be similar in size to the wavelength for diffraction to occur?
This is because the waves will spread out properly and you can see diffraction occurring.
