Physics - Wave Definitions Flashcards
Cycle
Event that happens at regular time intervals
E.g. Solstice, seasons, tides, Christmas, circuits, clocks
Wave
Movement of energy through medium away from disturbance through repetitive motion
Function: carries energy from one place to another
Period
Time taken to complete one cycle (seconds)
Formula: T = 1/f
Median
Substance that allows wave to go from one location to another.
E.g. Water, air, solids
Ray
Direction of light
In phase
2 waves in same position and same direction
Out of phase
2 waves in opposite direction but same position
Lambda
Length of 2 in phase, consecutive waves
Pulse
Single disturbance
Amplitude
Maximum displacement of particles
Superposition
When two pulses meet up in the same medium
Constructive interference
Combined amplitude larger than original pulses
Destructive interference
Combined amplitude smaller than individual pulses
Interference pattern
Patterns formed by the interference of waves
Frequency
Number of waves passing a point per second
Formula: f = w/t OR f = 1/T
Transverse Pulse
A pulse traveling up/down or left/right
Planck’s Constant (h)
6.63 x 10^-34 J.s
Speed of Light
3 x 10^8 m.s
Longitudinal wave
(Pressure waves) generated by a disturbance parallel to the medium
Compression
Part where particles are close together
Rarefaction
Part where particles are stretched out
Acoustics
Science of reverberation/echos
Nodal Lines
Lines of destructive interference
Anti-nodal Lines
Lines of constructive interference
Rest position
Original position of medium
Crests
Maximum positions
Troughs
Minimum positions
Pitch (sound)
Frequency
Loudness
Amplitude of vibration
Intensity
Amount of energy passing through 1m^2 a second. Measured in decibels
Transverse wave
Series of transverse pulses
Wavelength
Distance between two consecutive points on a wave
Velocity of wave
Displacement of wavefront per unit time. Measured in m.s^-1
V = fλ
Sound Waves
Transverse waves. Undergo interference
Limits of human hearing
20Hz - 20000 Hz
