Wave Definitions (C2-C5) Flashcards
vibration/oscillation
the motion of an object that regularly repeats itself back and forth over the same path.
periodic motion
oscillation over regular time intervals
disturbing force
energy that causes a wave
travelling wave
a wave that travels
cycle
a repeat of pattern
standing wave
The result when two waves of equal wavelengths, frequencies and amplitudes travel in opposite directions and interfere with each other CI and DI.
simple harmonic motion
Type of periodic motion when an object oscillates back and forth around an equilibrium position, with a restoring force proportional to its displacement.
period
time taken for one complete cycle
wave
disturbance that transfers energy through a medium or space without transferring matter
equilibrium
Location where opposing forces are balanced
amplitude
maximum displacement of wave
frequency
amount of cycles completed per unit of time
wavelength
distance between two identical points on wave
wave height
vertical distance between peak and trough of wave
isosynchronous oscillation
oscillations that repeat in the same time period (in-phase). Systems that oscillate with a constant period independent of amplitude.
transverse waves
Particles move perpendicular to motion of wave
longitudal waves
Particles move parallel to direction of wave
wave front
Along crests of wave
ray
Indicates direction of wave
reflection
When waves bounce off and reflect a boundary.
refraction
bending of a wave as it passes from one medium to another with a different density, causing a change in its speed and direction.
diffraction
Bending/spreading of waves when they encounter an obstacle or pass through a narrow opening.
intensity/energy
describes the amount of energy received by observer for wave
incident wave
the initial wave being produced
transmitted wave
the wave travelling through a medium
reflected wave
the wave that is reflected
destructive interference
opposite amplitude, decrease or cancel
constructive interference
positive amplitude, increase
total internal reflection
When a ray of light passes through a more optically dense medium into air and the angle of refraction is so great that there is essentially no transmitted ray.
critical angle
90 degrees. Light ray is travelling along surface.
node
A point in a standing wave that appears stationary, caused by destructive interference.
anti-node
A point in a standing wave where the amplitude is maximized, caused by constructive interference.
resonance
A string’s vibration whose frequency is a whole number multiple of a fundamental/first harmonic.
loudness
Perceived intensity (related to amplitude)
pitch
Perceived frequency
quality
How complex a wave may be (organ=rich, flute=pure)
huygen’s principle
Light is composed of waves. Showed light behaving as a wave when diffracted (double slit)
central fringe
The bright/dark spot at the center of an interference pattern.
