Waves Flashcards
What is the amplitude of the wave?
It is the height of the wave
What is the wavelength of the wave?
Length of the full cycle of the wave
What is the frequency?
Number of complete cycles per second.
What is a transverse wave?
The vibrations are perpendicular to the direction of the wave travels
What are longitudinal waves?
The vibrations are parallel to the direction the wave travels.
How do you work out the wave speed?
distance/ time or wavelength x frequency
What can happen to waves at boundaries?
they are absorbed, transmitted and refelected
What happens to waves when it crosses a boundary?
It changes speed
What does this change of speed cause?
It causes it to change direction- refraction
What happens to a wave if it lows down and speeds up?
It bends towards the normal if it slows down and away from the normal if it speeds up
What is the normal line?
An imaginary line that is perpendicular to the incoming wave where it hits the boundary
What is the angle of incidence?
The angle between the incoming ray and the normal
What is he angle of refraction?
The angle between the refracted ray and the normal
Does the density of the material affect the speed of the ray?
Yes, the denser the material the quicker the speed
