waves n stuff Flashcards
what is a transverse wave?
waves in which the direction of vibration of field/particle is perpendicular to direction of wave propagation
what is a longitudinal wave?
waves in which the direction of vibration of field/particle is parallel to direction of wave propagation
what is a polarised wave?
a wave where the vibrations stay in one plane only
what is an unpolarised wave?
a wave where the vibrations don’t stay in one plane
what is the period of a wave?
the time for one complete wave to pass a fixed point
what is wavelength?
least distance between two adjacent vibrating particles with same displacement and velocity at the same time
what is amplitude?
The maximum displacementof a vibrating particle
height of wave crest or depeth of trough from equilbrium position
what is refraction?
change of direction of a wave when it enters a more dense medium from a less dense medium
what is diffraction?
the spreading of waves passing through a gap or near an edge
what is an antinode
a fixed point in a stationary wave pattern where the amplitude and displacement is at it’s maximum
what is a node
a fixed point in a stationary wave where the amplitude and displacement is 0
what is equation for difference for distance between adjacent nodes on a stationary wave
half of the wavelength of the stationary wave
what is an electromagnetic wave
wavepacket or photon
consisting of transverse electric and magnetic waves
in phase and at right angles to each other
what is a mechanical wave
a wave that passes through a substance
what is one complete cycle of a wave
it’s from maximum displacement to the next maximum displacement