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AQA A-Level Physics - Waves

Terms in this set (29)

Mechanical Waves
Waves that pass through a medium e.g. seismic waves
Electromagnetic Waves
Oscillating electric and magnetic fields which do not pass through a medium
Longitudinal Waves
The direction of the vibration of the wave is parallel to the propagation of the wave
Transverse Waves
The direction of the vibration of the wave is perpendicular to the propagation of the wave
Propagation
The direction of travel of energy
Polaroid
A medium that prevents certain planes of a wave from penetrating it, so there is only one plane available
Unpolarised
Normal light when there are no planes restricted by a medium
Displacement
The distance and direction in which the wave moves
Amplitude
The maximum displacement of a wave from equilibrium
Wavelength
The shortest distance between adjacent vibrating particles
Period
The time taken for one complete cycle of a wave to occur
Frequency
The number of cycles of a wave per second
Phase Difference
The fraction of a cycle between the vibrations of two particles that have the same frequency
Radians
The value in which phase difference is measured
Reflection
The "sending back" of light waves when hitting a medium
Refraction
The change in direction of a wave when it enters a different medium of a different density, when directed at an angle to the boundary between the materials
Refractive Index
The ratio of velocity of light in a vacuum compared to that of the velocity of light in a specified medium
Diffraction
The spreading of waves when passing through a gap which is that same size as the wavelength of the wave
Superposition
When two waves meet, the total displacement is equal to the sum of the displacements of each wave at that point
Superimposition
When a crest and a trough of equal and opposite displacement meet and cancel one another out
Supercrest
When two crests meet and undergo superposition
Supertrough
When two troughs meet and undergo superposition
Stationary Waves
Waves that freely vibrate but do not transfer energy. Formed when there are two fixed points, creating nodes and anti-nodes. These are formed by the interference of progressive waves to cause super imposition
Node
The area of equilibrium of a stationary wave
Anti-Node
The area of displacement of a stationary wave
Progressive Wave
Waves that transfer energy
Interference
The reinforcement of waves that have been produced from fixed positions, like that of waves in a ripple tank
First Harmonic
The first fundamental mode of vibration which consists of two nodes and one anti-node
Pitch
A factor about the note of music made corresponds to the frequency of the wave. Uses the new equation
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