Waves

Question 1

Progressive wave

Answer 1

A progressive or travelling wave transfers energy from one place to another without the transfer of medium.

Question 2

Transverse wave

Answer 2

Transverse waves are waves in which the oscillation of the particles of the medium is perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer.

Question 3

Longitudinal wave

Answer 3

Longitudinal waves are waves in which the oscillation of the particles of the medium is parallel to the direction of energy transfer.

Question 4

Wavefront

Answer 4

A line or surface joining points if a wave that are in phase

Question 5

Phase difference

Answer 5

Phase difference (φ) is a measure, in angular form, of the fraction of a cycle two particles in a wave or two waves are out of step by.

Question 6

Intensity

Answer 6

Intensity of a wave is defined as the rate of energy flow per unit area perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer.

Question 7

Polarised wave

Answer 7

A wave is plane polarised if all oscillations are limited to the same plane perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer.

Question 8

3 difference between stationary & progressive wave

Answer 8

1. Energy- stationary has no net transfer of energy, progressive has energy transferred in direction of travel of wave
2. Phase- all particles between 2 adjacent nodes are in phase in stationary waves, all particles within one wavelength have different phases in progressive waves
3. Amplitude- varies from 0 at the nodes to max at the antinodes for stationary wave, same for all particles in progressive wave