Wave Motion Flashcards
Displacement (wave)
The distance in a specific direction of a point on the wave from its equilibrium position.
Amplitude (wave)
Maximum displacement of any point on the wave from its equilibrium position.
Period (wave)
Time taken for one complete oscillation of a point in a wave.
Frequency (wave)
The number of oscillations per unit time of a point on a wave.
Wavelength*
The minimum distance between any two points of the waves with the same phase at the same instant.
Progressive wave (Both transverse and longitudinal)
Waves in which energy is carried from one point to another by means of vibrations or oscillations within the wave.
Transverse wave
A wave in which vibrations are in a plane normal to the direction of transfer of energy of the wave.
Longitudinal wave
A wave in which vibrations are parallel to the direction of transfer of energy of the wave.
Wave speed*
The energy with which ENERGY is transmitted by a wave. It is related to the wavelength and the frequency according to the equation v = f(lambda).
Polarisation
A phenomenon that causes vibrations to be in one direction in the plane normal to the direction of transfer of energy of the wave.
Wavelength range of visible light
Red: 7 x 10^-7 m
Violet: 4 x 10^-7m
