Waves Flashcards
Definition of waves
A wave is something that transfers energy from one point to another. There are 2 types of waves : transverse waves and longitudinal waves
Description of transverse waves
In transverse waves, the particles of the medium vibrate at right angles to the direction at right angles to the direction that the energy travels. Some examples include water waves and the whole EM spectrum.
Description of longitudinal waves
In longitudinal waves, the energy travels along in the same direction as the particles vibrate. Sound waves are an example of that.
Definition of wave length
The distance from a point to another point where the wave has started to repeat itself.
Definition of frequency
The number of waves produced in 1 second by the source producing the waves.
Definition of amplitude
Half the distance from peak to trough. It can be thought of as the height of the wave from the rest position.
Definition of period
The time taken for 1 complete wave to be produced.
Definition of diffraction
When waves meet a gap or an edge in a barrier, they continue through or past it. The waves always ‘spread’ to some extent into the area beyond.
How does wave length affect diffraction?
The extent of diffraction depends on how the width of the gap compares to the wavelength of the waves. The greater the wavelength, the greater the diffraction.
