T4 - Waves Flashcards
Amplitude (A) - wave
Maximum displacement of the medium from the equilibrium position
Amplitude (A) - SHM
Maximum displacement from the equilibrium position
Simple harmonic motion (SHM)
an oscillation where the force (and acceleration) is proportional to displacement from the equilibrium position but is in the opposite direction
analyser
a device that can detect polarised light
antinode
position of maximum displacement
Brewster’s law
when light reflects off a surface it will be 100% polarised in the plane of the surface if the angle between the reflected and refracted rays is 90 degrees
coherent
wave sources that have a fixed phase relationship
compression
part of a longitudinal wave where the particles are closest together
constructive interference
occurs when two wave meet in phase to give the maximum displacement
critical angle (θc)
angle of incidence above which total internal reflection may occur
destructive interference
curse when two waves meet out of phase to give zero displacement
diffraction
spreading out of eaves past an obstacle or through a gap
displacement (X) - SHM
instantaneous distance from the equilibrium position in a specific direction
displacement (X) - wave
instantaneous distance the medium has moved from the equilibrium position in a specific direction
electromagnetic wave
do not require a medium so can travel through a vacuum
frequency (f) - SHM
number of oscillations per second
frequency (f) - wave
number of oscillation of the medium per second