Waves

Question 1

Progressive Wave

Answer 1

A wave that transfers energy from one point to another without transferring medium

Question 2

Displacement

Answer 2

Distance of the point of a wave from its equilibrium position

Question 3

Amplitude

Answer 3

Maximum displacement of a wave from its equilibrium position

Question 4

Amplitude

Answer 4

Maximum displacement of a wave from its equilibrium position

Question 5

Wavelength

Answer 5

The distance between two successive oscillations

Question 6

Time Period

Answer 6

The time taken for one complete oscillations

Question 7

Frequency

Answer 7

The number of complete oscillations per unit time

Question 8

Speed

Answer 8

The distance travelled by a wave per unit time

Question 9

Transverse Wave

Answer 9

A wave in which particles vibrate perpendicular to the direction of wave travel and energy transfer

Question 10

Longitudinal Wave

Answer 10

A wave in which particles vibrate parallel to the direction of wave travel and energy transfer

Question 11

Polarisation

Answer 11

Only occurs in transverse waves. The particles oscillate in only one direction perpendicular to the wave movement and energy transfer

Question 12

Stationary Waves

Answer 12

Produced by the superposition of two waves with the same amplitude and frequency travelling at opposite directions

Question 13

Nodes

Answer 13

Points of minimum or no disturbance

Question 14

Anti-Nodes

Answer 14

Point of maximum amplitude

Question 15

Principal of Superposition

Answer 15

When two waves or more with the same frequency arrive at a point the resultant displacement is the sum of displacements of each wave

Question 16

Path Difference

Answer 16

The difference in distance travelled by two waves from their sources to the point they meet

Question 17

Diffraction

Answer 17

The spreading of a wave after it passes a narrow gap or obstruction

Question 18

Diffraction

Answer 18

The spreading of a wave after it passes a narrow gap or obstruction

Question 19

Refraction

Answer 19

The change in the direction of the wave as it passes through a medium with different density

Question 20

Material Dispertion

Answer 20

Occurs when white light is used in a fibre optic therefore it separates into all colours of the spectrum

Question 21

Modal Dispertion

Answer 21

Occurs when monochromatic light inside a fibre optic spreads out due to the wavefront having different angles of incidence