Wave Properties Flashcards
What is meant by wave interference?
Wave interference is the phenomenon that occurs when two or more waves overlap, and their displacements add together.
Explain the difference between constructive and destructive interference.
Constructive interference results in an increased amplitude when waves align in phase, while destructive interference results in a decreased amplitude when they are out of phase.
What is diffraction?
Diffraction is the bending and spreading of waves around obstacles or through narrow openings.
Define coherence in wave phenomena.
Coherence refers to the fixed phase relationship between waves over a period of time, which is essential for clear interference patterns.
What is a diffraction grating?
A diffraction grating is an optical component with many parallel slits that disperse light into several beams to produce a spectrum.
How does the principle of superposition apply to waves?
It states that when two or more waves meet, the resultant displacement at any point is the algebraic sum of the displacements of the individual waves.
What is phase difference?
Phase difference is the difference in the phase of two waves at a given point, which affects how they interfere.
Describe nodal and antinodal lines in interference patterns.
Nodal lines are regions where destructive interference occurs (minimal or no amplitude), while antinodal lines are where constructive interference occurs (maximum amplitude).
What are standing waves and how are they formed?
Standing waves are created when two waves of the same frequency and amplitude travel in opposite directions and interfere, resulting in fixed nodes and antinodes.
What factors influence the interference pattern of waves?
The wavelength, coherence, slit separation (in diffraction experiments), and the medium’s properties all influence interference patterns.
How does the medium affect the speed of a wave?
The speed of a wave depends on the medium’s properties such as density and elasticity; different media will alter the wave’s speed.
What is polarization?
Polarization is the orientation of the oscillations of a transverse wave, such as light, in a particular direction.
