Waves and Refraction Flashcards
types of oscillations
mechanical or electromagnetic
two main different classes of waves
transverse and longitudinal
define transverse wave
wave that oscillates perpendicular to direction of propagation
example of transverse wave
light
define longitudinal waves
a wave that oscillates on the same axis along which the wave travels
example of longitudinal waves
sound
define wavelength
the smallest distance between points of the wave that are in phase
define frequency v
the number of waves passing a point in a second
equation for frequency
v = wavespeed/lamda (wavelength)
define period of a wave T
the time needed for a wave to pass a point
equation for period of a wave
T = 1/v
define amplitude A
the maximum intensity value of wave, distance between crest and zero
define phase circle with line
the particular stage in the periodic process or phenomem[non
what is phase usually measured in
radians
general wave equation
y = Asin(v * x + phi)
three things that can happen to a wave at a boundary
reflected, absorbed or transmitted
law of reflection
the incident and reflected rays make equal angles to a normal to the surface at the reflection point
define refraction
the process of deflection of a wave when it travels from a medium to another
if there is higher optical density which way would the wave refract
closer to the normal
equation for the refractive index vacuum to material
n = sintheta1/sintheta2
equation for refractive index between two materials
n1 * sintheta1 = n2 * sintheta2
