Topic 5: Waves Flashcards
what is phase difference
The amount one wave lags behind another
What is phase
A measure of a position of a certain point along a wave
(phase diff also counts as the distance between these points)
What is a transverse wave
A wave in which the vibrations are perpendicular to the direction of travel
What is a longitudinal wave
A wave in which vibrations are parallel to the direction of travel.
What is amplitude
The Maximum Magnitude of displacement
what is wavelength
The length of one whole wave cycle. e.g crest to crest or trough to trough.
What is displacement
How far a point on a wave has moved from its undisturbed position
what is the speed of light in air
3x10-8
What is the Frequency
The number of cycles (vibrations)per second passing a given point
What is the Unit and symbol for frequency
Hz
F
What is the unit and symbol for wave speed
Ms^-1
V
What is the unit and symbol for a Period
s T
What is the unit and symbol for Wavelength
Meters
λ
What is the Equation for Wave speed
V=f x λ
Give 6 features of a wave
Absorption, Transmission,Reflection, Refraction,Interference,Diffraction
Which two features of a wave provide evidence for the existence of Waves
Diffraction & Interference
What is absorption
when energy is absorbed by an object
Whats is transmission
when energy is transmitted from one source to another
What is reflection
When a wave bounces of a surface
What is refraction
When a Wave changes speed Because is enters a new medium