Waves Flashcards
What is wave motion?
The propagation of disturbance that travels from one location to another
What is displacement in wave terminology?
Distance of a point from its undisturbed (equilibrium) position
What is amplitude?
Maximum displacement of a particle from its undisturbed position
What is period?
Time taken for one complete oscillation
What is frequency?
Number of oscillations per unit time
What is the relationship between frequency and period?
f = 1 / T
What is wavelength?
Distance between two identical points on a wave (e.g.
What is wave speed?
Speed at which the waveform travels in the direction of propagation
What is the wave equation?
v = fλ
What do progressive waves transfer?
Energy from one position to another
What is phase difference?
Difference in phase between two waves
What is the formula for phase difference?
(x/λ) × 2π
What does it mean when waves are in phase?
Phase difference is 0
What does antiphase mean?
Phase difference is π
What is intensity of a wave?
Rate of energy transmitted per unit area perpendicular to wave direction
What is the formula for intensity?
Intensity = Power / Area
How is intensity related to amplitude?
Intensity ∝ Amplitude²
How does intensity relate to distance from a point source?
Intensity ∝ 1/r²
What is the Doppler Effect?
Change in observed frequency due to relative motion between source and observer
What is the Doppler effect formula?
f₀ = (v / (v ± vₛ)) × fₛ
What are transverse waves?
Waves where particles oscillate perpendicular to wave direction
What are longitudinal waves?
Waves where particles oscillate parallel to wave direction
Can transverse waves be polarized?
Yes
Can longitudinal waves be polarized?
No
