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LAET A-level OCR Physics A 2024 > Waves > Flashcards

Waves Flashcards

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1
Q

What is Phase difference?

A

the fraction of a cycle (measured in degrees or radians) between the oscillations of two particles

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2
Q

What is Path difference?

A

the difference in the distances travelled by two waves from coherent sources at a particular point

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3
Q

Principle of superposition (Waves)

A

when two or more waves meet, the resultant displacement is equal to the sum of the displacements of each wave

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4
Q

Interference

A

when two waves superpose at a point and there is a change in overall displacement

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5
Q

Displacement

A

distance moved from equilibrium of a point on a wave

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6
Q

Amplitude

A

maximum displacement

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7
Q

Wavelength

A

the distance between two adjacent peaks ‘or’ troughs

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8
Q

Period

A

the time taken for one complete oscillation of a particle

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9
Q

Frequency

A

number of wavelengths passing a point per unit time

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10
Q

Plane polarized wave

A

a transverse wave that vibrates in one plane only

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11
Q

Node

A

A point on a stationary wave where the amplitude is always zero

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12
Q

Antinode

A

A point where the amplitude of the standing wave takes the maximum possible value

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13
Q

Coherence

A

Same frequency and constant phase difference

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14
Q

Monochromatic

A

Same wavelength

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15
Q

What are the condition required for a stationary wave to form?

A

Two waves travelling/propagating in opposite directions superpose with the same frequency and similar amplitudes

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16
Q

What is an antinode on a stationary wave?

A

A point where the progressive waves are in phase and constructively interfering resulting in maximum amplitude

17
Q

What is an node on a stationary wave?

A

A point where the progressive waves are in antiphase and are destructively interfering resulting in minimum amplitude

18
Q

How many wavelengths are there between adjacent nodes of a standing wave?

A

Half a wavelength

19
Q

What is the phase difference between points either side of a node?

A

Pi Rad/180 degrees

20
Q

What is the phase difference of points between two adjacent nodes?

A

Zero

21
Q

How does phase vary along a progressive wave?

A

Changes continuously across each wave cycle.

22
Q

How does amplitude vary in a stationary wave?

A

It varies continuously along the wave. It is a maximum at antinodes and a minimum at nodes

23
Q

How does amplitude vary in a progressive wave?

A

It is the same at every point along the wave.

24
Q

What type of wave doesn’t tranfer energy?

A

Stationary waves

25
Q

What is the fundamental frequency of a string?

A

The lowest frequency which produces a stationary wave on the string.

26
Q

Why can only certain frequency stationary waves be produced on a stretched string?

A

here must be nodes at the fixed ends and only certain frequencies/wavelengths allow this.

27
Q

What is the principle of superposition in waves

A

When two waves meet at a point the resultant displacement is the (vector) sum of the displacements of the individual waves

28
Q

What is constructive interference?

A

When two waves superpose in phase causing an increase amplitude.

29
Q

What path difference is required for waves to be in phase?

A

A whole number of wavelengths

30
Q

What path difference is required for waves to be in antiphase?

A

An odd number of half wavelengths

31
Q

What is the relationship between path difference and phase difference for coherent sources?

A

(Path difference/wavelength) x 2π

32
Q

What term describes a phase difference of zero between two waves?

A

In phase

33
Q

What term describes a phase difference of π radians between two waves?

A

In antiphase

34
Q

What is x in the double slit equation (λ = ax/D)?

A

Fringe seperation

35
Q

What is D in the double slit equation (λ = ax/D)?

A

Distance between the double slits and the screen

36
Q

What is a in the double slit equation (λ = ax/D)?

A

Distance between the double slits

37
Q

What did Young’s double slit experiment demonstrate about the nature of light?

A

That light exhibits wave behaviour.

38
Q

What name is given to light of a single frequency/wavelength?

A

Monochromatic

LAET A-level OCR Physics A 2024 (16 decks)

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