Sound Light Waves Definitions Flashcards
Refraction
Occurs when a wave changes direction as it enters a new medium
Reflection
The bouncing of waves off obstacles in their path
Diffraction
The sideways spreading of waves through gaps and obstacles
Interference
Addition of waves from more than one coherent source
Interference pattern
Formed when two coherent sources meet
Coherent sources
In phase and have the same frequency
Constructive interference
Amplitude of resultant wave > amplitude of individual waves
Destructive interference
The amplitude of the resultant wave < the amplitude of the individual waves
A Wave
Means of moving energy through a medium w/ no net movement of the medium
Medium
Substance through which a wave passes
Two types of waves?
Transverse and longitudinal
Longitudinal wave
E.g. sound , direction of vibration is parallel to the direction of the motion of the wave
Transverse wave
E.g. light, the direction of the vibration is perpendicular to the direction of the motion of the wave
Wavelength
Distance between two successive crests
Amplitude
Max. Displacement from the rest
Frequency
No. Of waves passing a point per sec
Periodic time
Time taken for one complete cycle
Polarisation
The confining of the vibrations of the wave to one plane only
Stationary wave
Amplitude of the wave at any point is constant
The Doppler Effect
The apparent change in frequency of a wave due to the relative motion of the observer or the source
Travelling wave
Means of transferring energy through a medium w/o any net movement of the medium
Dispersion
The breaking up of white light into its seven component colours
Primary colours
(Red Blue Green )when all mixed together, form white light
Secondary colours
When two primary colours mix. (Magenta Cyan Yellow)
Complementary colours
Primary + secondary that when mixed together give white light (eg. Yellow and blue) (red + cyan) (green + magenta)
Electromagnetic spectrum
Tv/radio wave , microwaves , infrared waves, visible waves , ultraviolet , x-ray , gamma ray ( Romeo Montague In Verona Underwent Xtreme Grief)
Spectrometer
Device used to tudy the interaction between electromagnetic radiation and matter
