Waves Flashcards
progressive wave
periodic disturbance that moves through a medium
transverse waves
particles of the medium move perpendicular to the travel of wave
e.g. water wave, wave on a string
electromagnetic waves differ from normal transverse waves
the electric, magnetic field and direction of motion are all at right angles to each other
(3d platform rather than 2d)
longitudinal waves
the particles in the medium move parallels to the direction of motion of the wave (e.g. sound)
have COMPRESSIONS AND RAREFRACTIONS
wavelength
shortest distance between any 2 adjacent particles vibration in phase
amplitude
maximum displacement from the equilibrium position
time period
the time it takes a particle to pass through a full cycle
frequency
number of cycles a particle goes through per second
wave front
connects up particles performing the same motion at any given time
speed equation for wave
v=frequency*wavelength
polarized wave+ polarizing materials
transmitted electric fields only have 1 orientation
material to do this is made from crystalline and polymers, reduces glare and brightness
unpolarized light passing through polarizing Material
all the components of light in one orientation are absorbed and the components at right angles are transmitted
Application of polarizing material
SUNGLASSES: stops glare
POLARIZATION OF RADIO WAVES: receiving antenna can be orientated to pick up certain radio channel
reflection
angle of incidence is equal of angle of reflection
refraction
change in direction of a wave as it passes from one medium to another
angle refracted follows Snells law
