waves

Question 1

amplitude

Answer 1

the maximum height of a wave,or largest displacement from the equilibrium

Question 2

frequency

Answer 2

the number of oscillations or waves per second in Hz

Question 3

wavelength

Answer 3

the distance traveled by a wave in one period of oscillation

Question 4

phase difference

Answer 4

the measure of difference in motion of two points on a wave

Question 5

path difference

Answer 5

the difference in the distance traveled for example by two waves in which case it is often expressed as a fraction of the wavelength

Question 6

longitudinal

Answer 6

wave that is parallel to the direction of travel

Question 7

transverse

Answer 7

oscillations are parallel to the direction of travel

Question 8

polarisation

Answer 8

property of certain electromagnetic radiations in which the direction and magnitude of the vibrating electric field are related in a specified way

Question 9

stationary waves

Answer 9

a non progressive wave when two waves with the same frequency travel in opposite directions

Question 10

progressive waves

Answer 10

a wave that transfers energy from one place to another

Question 11

nodes

Answer 11

a point on a stationary wave where the displacement is zero

Question 12

antinodes

Answer 12

a point in a stationary wave where the displacement is maximum

Question 13

first harmonic

Answer 13

the first fundamental frequency

Question 14

coherence

Answer 14

a fixed relationship between the phase of waves in a beam of radiation of a single frequency

Question 14

principle of superposition

Answer 14

the principle that when similar waves meet the total displacement is the vector sum of the individual displacements

Question 15

difraction

Answer 15

the spreading of waves after passing through an opening or obstacle to occupy areas that would otherwise be a shadow

Question 16

refraction

Answer 16

the change of direction of waves that results from a change in speed