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A Physics > Waves -Terms and definitions > Flashcards

Waves -Terms and definitions Flashcards

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1
Q

Energy Transfer

A

Wave motion, in general, is a process in which kinetic energy is transferred from one point to another without any transfer of matter between the points

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2
Q

Mechanical waves

A

requires a material medium

eg. sound waves

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3
Q

Electromagnetic waves

A

do not require a medium (can travel in vacuum)

eg. light

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4
Q

Longitudinal waves

A

vibrate parallel to the direction of motion

eg. sound waves

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5
Q

Transverse waves

A

vibrate perpendicular to the direction of motion

eg. light, water

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6
Q

Amplitude (A)

A

the maximum distance a particle is displaced from its rest position

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7
Q

Wavelength (λ)

A

The distance between two successive corresponding positions in a wave (m)

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8
Q

Wave velocity (v)

A

the velocity of the wave shape

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9
Q

Frequency (f)

A

Number of waves to pass a point in a second

Hertz (Hz)

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10
Q

Period (T)

A 
The time (s) it takes for one wave to pass a point
Seconds (s)
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11
Q

T=1/f

A 
T = Period (s)
f = frequency (Hz)
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12
Q

f=1/T

A 
f = frequency (Hz)
T = Period (s)
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13
Q

v=fλ

A 
v = velocity (m/s)
f = frequency (Hz)
λ = wavelength (m)
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14
Q

Pulse in Heavy String

A

Travels slowly

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15
Q

Pulse in Light String

A

Travels quickly

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16
Q

Deepwater -> shallow water (refraction)

A

Waves slow down
wavelength increases
bends behind

17
Q

shallow water -> deep water (refraction)

A

Wave speeds up
wavelength decreases
bends forwards

18
Q

Refraction

A

change in speed when a wave travels from one medium into another
frequency (f) does not change
Speed (v) changes
wavelength (λ) changes

less optically dense medium -> more optically dense
slows down
bends towards the normal

19
Q

Superposition

A

Ability for waves to superimpose (add their displacements and their energy) as they move through each other

20
Q

Interference

A

pattern of waves produced by two source points

21
Q

Principle of superposition

A

two waves to be ‘added’ together by adding their displacements together at each instant in time

22
Q

Constructive interference

A

crest meets crest or

trough meets trough

23
Q

Total Internal Reflection

A

Angle of incidence is greater than the critical angle, all the light reaching the boundary is reflected.
Criteria:
1. Must go from optically dense -> less dense
2. 0i must be greater than critical angle

24
Q

Nodal lines

A

(flat)
destructive interference
amplitude = 0
wave arrive 180° out of phase

25
Q

antinodal lines

A

(Large height)
constructive interference
maximum amplitude
wave arrive 180° in phase

26
Q

Path Difference

PS1-PS2 = (n-(1/2)λ

A

PS1 =
PS2 =
n =
λ =

27
Q

Path Difference

PS1-PS2 = nλ

A

PS1 =
PS2 =
n =
λ =

28
Q

Speed of light

A

3.00x10^8 m/s

29
Q

Laws of Reflection

A

Incident ray, reflected ray, normal line all lie in the same plane
the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection

30
Q

1/f = 1/di + 1/do

A 
f = focal length
di = distance of image
do = distance of object

NOTE:
f is negative when convex mirror
di is negative when virtual image

31
Q

m = hi/ho = di/do

A 
m = magnification
hi = image height
ho = object height
di = image distance
do = object distance

NOTE:
f is negative when convex mirror
di is negative when virtual image

32
Q

Critical Angle

A

angle of refraction is 90° to the angle of incidence

33
Q

Refractive index

A 
n = sin01/sin02
01 = incident angle
02 = refraction angle
n = optic density/refractive index
34
Q

Snell’s law
λ1/λ2 = v1/v2 = sin01/sin02 = n2/n1

n1sin01 = n2sin02

A 
λ = wavelength (m)
v = velocity (m/s)
01 = incident ray
02 = refractive ray
n2 = refractive index of medium 1
n1 = refractive index of medium 1
35
Q

Dispersion

A

different frequencies of light splitting up through a prism
red has longest λ so bends the least
violet has shortest λ so bends the most

36
Q

Concave mirror within focal length

A

Virtual
Enlarged
Upright

A Physics (4 decks)

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