Pulses Flashcards
Pulse definition
A single disturbance in a medium.
Amplitude definition
The maximum displacement of a particle from its rest position (equilibrium)
The amplitude is an indication of how much energy a pulse has.
Medium definition
The substance or material in which a pulse or wave will move. The medium carries the pulse from one place to another. It does not create the pulse
Transverse pulse
A pulse in which the particles of the medium move at right angles to the direction of the motion of the pulse.
The principle of superposition
When 2 pulses occupy the same space at the same time, the displacement of the medium is found by adding the displacement of the 2 disturbances.
Pulse speed
The distance a pulse travels per unit time
Pulse length
A measurement of how long a pulse is.
Fixed-end reflections
Inverted
Energy loss
Free-end reflections
Not inverted
No energy loss
Constructive interference
When 2 pulses meet, resulting in a bigger pulse.
Where the crest of one pulse overlaps with the crest of another pulse to produce a pulse of increased amplitude.
i.e. 2 crests or 2 troughs
Destructive interference
When 2 pulses meet, resulting in a smaller pulse.
i.e. 1 crest and 1 trough
