Waves and refraction/reflection Flashcards
What is a transverse wave?
It is where the particles move at a 90 degree angle to the direction of the wave
What is a longitudinal wave?
the particles move parallel to the direction of the wave
What is an example of a transverse wave?
the sea
What is an example of a longitudinal wave?
a sound wave
What is wave frequency?
the number of waves which pass per second
What is wave frequency measured in?
Hertz (Hz)
How do you calculate wave speed?
frequency x wavelength
What is lamda?
a greek letter signifying wavelength
What is wavelength?
It is the length of one full wave cycle
What is amplitude?
(on a transverse wave)
the resting point/middle to the top/bottom of the wave
What is a ray diagram?
a model of what happens when light is reflected or refracted.
What is a normal?
a line drawn at right angeles to the barrier/mirror.
What are the angles of the incident and reflected/refracted rays measured from?
The normal
What is the critical angle?
the point of refraction
What is the incident ray?
The ray that came to the mirror/barrier
