Waves 2 Flashcards
What is superposition?
When two waves of the same type meet, their displacements combine to produce a wave with resultant displacement.
What is wave interference?
When two waves continuously superpose each other.
What is constructive interference?
When two waves that are in phase interfere with each other, creating a resultant wave with higher amplitude.
What is destructive interference?
When two waves that are in antiphase interfere with each other, creating a resultant wave with lower amplitude.
What is wave coherence?
When waves emitted from two sources have a constant phase difference.
What is the path difference of two waves?
The difference in the distance travelled by two waves to get to the same point.
What is needed to produce an interference pattern?
Two sources of coherent, monochromatic light.
How is a stationary wave formed?
When two progressive waves with the same frequency (and amplitude) are travelling in opposite directions and superpose each other.
What is a node on a stationary wave?
A point where the two waves are in anti phase and the resultant displacement is 0.
What is an antinode on a stationary wave?
A point where the two waves are in phase and the resultant amplitude is at a maximum.
What is the separation between adjacent nodes on a stationary wave?
1/2 a wavelength.
