superposition

Question 1

diffraction

Answer 1

spreading (or bending) of waves towards the geometric shadow after passing through an aperture or obstacle

Question 2

interference

Answer 2

is the phenomenon observed when waves from two (or more) coherent sources overlap and, in accordance to the Principle of Superposition, produces a pattern of maximas and minimas

Question 3

coherent sources

Answer 3

sources are said to be coherent if they produce waves that have a constant phase difference

Question 4

Principle of Superposition

Answer 4

states that when two or more waves of the same type meet, the resultant displacement at any point is the vector sum of the individual displacements that each wave would cause at that point

Question 5

the Rayleigh criterion

Answer 5

the limit for which the two objects can be just distinguishable occurs when the first minima of
the diffraction pattern of one source coincides with the central maxima of the diffraction pattern of the other source

Question 6

stationary waves

Answer 6

formed from the superposition of 2 waves

1. of the same type, having the same amplitude, wavelength and frequency (and hence speed),
2. travelling in opposite directions towards each other

Question 7

fundamental f

Answer 7

lowest f