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Physics > Waves > Flashcards

Waves Flashcards

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1
Q

Amplitude (A) (wave)

A

maximum displacement of the medium from the equilibrium position

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2
Q

Amplitude (Xo) (SHM)

A

maximum displacement from the equilibrium position

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3
Q

Analyser

A

a device that can detect polarised light

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4
Q

Antinode

A

position of maximum displacement

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5
Q

Brewster’s law

A

when light reflects off a surface it will be 100% polarised in
the plane of the surface if the angle between the reflected and refracted rays is 90

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6
Q

Coherent

A

wave sources that have a fixed-phase relationship

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7
Q

Compression

A

part of a longitudinal wave where the particles are closest together

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8
Q

Constructive interference

A

occurs when waves meet in phase to give max displacement

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9
Q

Critical angle (θc)

A

angle of incidence above which total internal reflection may occur

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10
Q

destructive interference

A

occurs when waves meet out of phase to give zero displacement

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11
Q

diffraction

A

spreading out of waves past an obstacle or through a gap

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12
Q

Displacement (x) (SHM)

A

instantaneous distance from the equilibrium position in a specific direction

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13
Q

Displacement (x)(wave)

A

instantaneous distance the medium has moved from the
equilibrium position in a specific direction

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14
Q

Electromagnetic waves

A

do not require a medium so can travel through a vacuum

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15
Q

Frequency (f) (SHM)

A

number of oscillations per se

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16
Q

Frequency (f)(wave)

A

number of oscillations of the medium per sec

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17
Q

fundamental frequency (fo)

A

the lowest frequency standing wave that can be formed in a pipe or on a string

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18
Q

intensity (I)

A

power per unit area received by an observer

19
Q

isochronous oscillation

A

an oscillation with a constant time period

20
Q

longitudinal wave

A

the particles of the medium oscillate parallel to the direction of energy transfer

21
Q

Malus’ law

A

I = Io cos^2 θ

22
Q

Mechanical waves

A

require a medium through which to travel

23
Q

Node

A

position of zero displacement

24
Q

optically active substance

A

substance that rotates the place of polarised light as the light passes through it

25
Q

path difference

A

difference in distance travelled by two different waves, given in terms of wavelength

26
Q

Period (T)(SHM)

A

Time for one oscillation

27
Q

Period (T)(wave)

A

time for one complete oscillation of the medium (or for a complete wave to pass a given point)

28
Q

Polarised light

A

light in which the electric field vector is oscillation on one plane only

29
Q

Rarefaction

A

part of a longitudinal wave where the particle are furthest apart

30
Q

Ray

A

shows the direction of energy transfer of a wave

31
Q

refraction

A

the change in speed of a wave that occurs when it travels into a different medium

32
Q

refractive index (n)

A

a measure of how fast a wave travels in a medium

33
Q

restoring force (SHM)

A

a force that is always directed towards the equilibrium position

34
Q

simple harmonic motion

A

an oscillation where the force (and acceleration) is proportional to
displacement from the equilibrium position but is in the opposite direction

35
Q

Snell’s law

A

n = sin i/sin 4

36
Q

Standing wave

A

a wave formed when a wave is reflected and the reflected wave interferes with the forward moving wave

37
Q

Superposition

A

a resultant wave formed by the addition of the displacements of individual waves when they interfere

38
Q

Total internal reflection

A

occurs when a wave is travelling into a less dense medium and when the angle of incidence at the boundary is greater than the critical angle

39
Q

Transverse wave

A

the particles of the medium oscillate perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer

40
Q

wave

A

a movement of energy through a medium

41
Q

wave speed (c)

A

distance travelled per unit time by the energy of the wave

42
Q

wavefront

A

line connecting points along a wave that are in phase

43
Q

wavelength (λ)

A

shortest distance along a wave between two points that are in phase

Physics (6 decks)

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