Physics - Wave Definitions

Question 0

Cycle

Answer 0

Event that happens at regular time intervals

E.g. Solstice, seasons, tides, Christmas, circuits, clocks

Question 1

Wave

Answer 1

Movement of energy through medium away from disturbance through repetitive motion
Function: carries energy from one place to another

Question 2

Period

Answer 2

Time taken to complete one cycle (seconds)

Formula: T = 1/f

Question 3

Median

Answer 3

Substance that allows wave to go from one location to another.
E.g. Water, air, solids

Question 4

Ray

Answer 4

Direction of light

Question 5

In phase

Answer 5

2 waves in same position and same direction

Question 6

Out of phase

Answer 6

2 waves in opposite direction but same position

Question 7

Lambda

Answer 7

Length of 2 in phase, consecutive waves

Question 8

Pulse

Answer 8

Single disturbance

Question 9

Amplitude

Answer 9

Maximum displacement of particles

Question 10

Superposition

Answer 10

When two pulses meet up in the same medium

Question 11

Constructive interference

Answer 11

Combined amplitude larger than original pulses

Question 12

Destructive interference

Answer 12

Combined amplitude smaller than individual pulses

Question 13

Interference pattern

Answer 13

Patterns formed by the interference of waves

Question 14

Frequency

Answer 14

Number of waves passing a point per second

Formula: f = w/t OR f = 1/T

Question 15

Transverse Pulse

Answer 15

A pulse traveling up/down or left/right

Question 16

Planck’s Constant (h)

Answer 16

6.63 x 10^-34 J.s

Question 17

Speed of Light

Answer 17

3 x 10^8 m.s

Question 18

Longitudinal wave

Answer 18

(Pressure waves) generated by a disturbance parallel to the medium

Question 19

Compression

Answer 19

Part where particles are close together

Question 20

Rarefaction

Answer 20

Part where particles are stretched out

Question 21

Acoustics

Answer 21

Science of reverberation/echos

Question 22

Nodal Lines

Answer 22

Lines of destructive interference

Question 23

Anti-nodal Lines

Answer 23

Lines of constructive interference

Question 24

Rest position

Answer 24

Original position of medium

Question 25

Crests

Answer 25

Maximum positions

Question 26

Troughs

Answer 26

Minimum positions

Question 27

Pitch (sound)

Answer 27

Frequency

Question 28

Loudness

Answer 28

Amplitude of vibration

Question 29

Intensity

Answer 29

Amount of energy passing through 1m^2 a second. Measured in decibels

Question 30

Transverse wave

Answer 30

Series of transverse pulses

Question 31

Wavelength

Answer 31

Distance between two consecutive points on a wave

Question 32

Velocity of wave

Answer 32

Displacement of wavefront per unit time. Measured in m.s^-1

V = fλ

Question 33

Sound Waves

Answer 33

Transverse waves. Undergo interference

Question 34

Limits of human hearing

Answer 34

20Hz - 20000 Hz