Waves
Order by
39 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 mechanical waves | need a medium on which to travel |
| transverse waves | particles of the medium vibrate perpendicular to the motion of the wave |
| longitudinal waves | particles of the medium move parallel to the direction of the wave |
| water wave | combination of transverse and longitudinal |
| electromagnetic wave | doesn't need a medium, travel at the speed of light in a vacuum |
| matter wave | solid which has wave properties |
| wave pulse | a single bump or disturbance |
| periodic wave/traveling wave | wave which continues to move |
| amplitude | distance from the equilibrium position |
| crest | top of the wave |
| trough | bottom of the wave |
| wavelength | distance during which motion repeats itself |
| period | time it takes for one complete vibration |
| frequency | number of cycles per second |
| incident wave | incoming wave that strikes the boundary |
| reflected wave | returning wave |
| inverted wave | upside down |
| reflected wave is upright | if a wave travels from a more dense to a less dense medium.. |
| reflected wave is inverted | if a wave travels from a less dense to a more dense medium.. |
| law of reflection | angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection |
| refraction | changing direction of the wave at the boundary between two different mediums |
| diffraction | bending of waves around a barrier |
| total internal reflection | only occurs when wave going from a more dense to a less dense medium |
| critical angle | refracted ray lies right along boundary between mediums. Angle of refraction = 90 degrees |
| total internal reflection | any incidence angle above the critical angle |
| echos | reflected sound waves |
| frequency | pitch |
| beats | difference in pitch |
| Principle of Super Position | algebraic sum of the displacements caused by individual waves |
| interference | result of superposition |
| constructive interference | resulting wave has a larger amplitude |
| destructive interference | resulting wave has a smaller amplitude |
| standing waves | a pattern which results from the interference of two or more waves traveling the same medium. always characterized by an alternating pattern of nodes and antinodes |
| nodes | result of the meeting of a crest with a trough. leads to points of zero amplitude |
| anti-nodes | positions along the medium where there are points of maximum amplitude due to a crest meeting a crest or a trough meeting a trough |
| normal | imaginary line perpendicular to the boundary |
| Snell's Law | mathematical equation which relates the indices of refraction and angles for a light ray traveling from one medium to another |
| incident ray | incoming light ray |
| refracted ray is bent away from the normal | if light travels form a more optically dense to a less optically dense medium |
First Time Here?
Welcome to Quizlet, a fun, free place to study. Try these flashcards, find others to study, or make your own.