Wave terminology Flashcards

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1
Q

Why does a wave travel from one place to another

A

Because a disturbance has caused particles in a material to be displaced.

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2
Q

What happens to particles when a disturbance occurs to eg. water wave

A

The particles closest to the initial disturbance get displaced first and this causes adjacent particles to do the same, slightly later.

This is repeated until the disturbance reaches its final point.

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3
Q

Define wavelength and symbol and units

A

Wavelength of a wave is the distance between two successive identical points that have the same pattern of oscillation.

Lamda

metres

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4
Q

Define Time period and unit

A

The period of a wave is the time it takes for one complete pattern of oscillation to take place at any point.

eg. time taken for one peak to another peak

T symbol

seconds unit

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5
Q

Define frequency, give symbol and unit

A

The frequency of a wave is the number of oscillations per unit time at any point and is related to the time period T by the equation F = 1/T

eg. if time period T = 10s

F = 1/10 = 0.1Hz so 0.1 oscillations every second

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6
Q

Define displacement, and unit

A

The distance any part of the wave has moved from its mean position

it can be negative or positive

metres

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7
Q

Define amplitude

A

this is the maximum displacement

ie. distance from a peak or trough to the mean position

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8
Q

Define phase difference , give units and sumbol

A

The difference between the displacements of particles along a wave (measured in radians/degrees) for 1 complete cycle.

P symbol

Radians unit

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9
Q

what is antiphase

A

When 2 particles are oscillating with a phase differece of 1 pie radiands, it is said to be they are in antiphase as its exactly by 180 degrees.

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