Waves Flashcards
Displacement
Distance any part of wave has been moved from rest positions
Amplitude
Maximum displacement
Wavelength
Distance wave travels before repeating itself
Period
Time taken to complete one oscillation
Phase difference
The difference in radians between two points ,
Frequency
Number of oscillations per unit time
Stationary/standing wave
Wave is not progressive peaks and troughs are not moving forward but oscillating in place so net transfer of energy
Nodes
Points in stationary waves where there is no displacement any time
Antinodes
Points in stationary waves where displacement varies by max amount
Reflection
Change in direction wave at an interface between 2 different media so that the wave returns to original medium
Refraction
Change of direction of a wave that occurs when it’s speed changes due to a change in medium
Total internal reflection
When all the wave is reflected and there is no refraction. Occurs when angle of incidence > critical angle
Critical angle
The angle of incidence in a denser medium where the angle of refraction is 90
Diffraction
When a wave encounters a slit and deviates from its path
Interference
When 2 or more waves superpose to form a resultant wave where waves reinforce each other in places and cancel in other places
