Waves Flashcards
What is a progressive wave?
Wave that transfers energy from one place to another without transferring matter
Define displacement of a wave and state it’s unit
distance and direction an oscillating particle moves from its rest position, in metres
Define the amplitude of a wave and state its unit
maximum displacement an oscillating particle moves from its rest position, in metres
Define the period of a wave and state its units
time taken for one complete wave to pass a fixed point, in seconds
Define the frequency of a wave and state its units
number of complete waves passing a fixed point per second, in metre
State the relationship between frequency and time period
f = 1/T
State the relationship between the speed, frequency and wavelength of a wave
c = fλ
what is the phase of a particle on a wave
fraction of a cycle it has completed since the start of the cycle
What is the phase difference between two particles on a wave?
fraction of a cycle by which their oscillations are seperated
What units is phase difference expressed in?
degrees or radians, where 1 cycle = 360deg = 2π rad
State the phase difference in rad for two points on a wave separated by a horizontal distance d.
phase diff = 2πd/λ
What are mechanical waves?
waves which require a physical substance to move through
Why are EM waves not mechanical?
They can travel through a vacuum
What is a longitudinal wave?
wave where the oscillations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer
What is a transverse wave?
wave where the oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer
