Waves

What is frequency?

The amount of waves that pass in a certain amount of time.

How does higher frequency compare to lower frequency?

They have more waves occurring in the same duration.

Define amplitude in terms of waves.

The distance between the maximum or minimum of the wave in its rest position.

What is a trough?

The lowest point of a transverse wave.

What does a crest represent in a wave?

The highest point of a transverse wave.

What is wavelength (period length)?

The distance it takes for one wave to pass

Differentiate between transverse waves and longitudinal waves.

Transverse waves move perpendicular to the direction of energy, while longitudinal waves move parallel to the direction of energy.

What order do the colors make up the visible spectrum?

Violet, Indigo, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, Red.

What is the equation for the speed of light?

C = 3 x 10^8 m/s.

Define period in relation to waves.

The amount of time it takes for one wave to pass a given point.

What is the relationship between period and frequency?

The higher the frequency the smaller the period

How is frequency (f) calculated?

f = 1/T

What is the formula for wavelength (λ)?

v/f

What is the formula for calculating velocity (v) in wave mechanics?

λf

What are wave fronts?

Waves formed when existing waves are disturbed, often occurring when waves move through a gap.

What is diffraction in wave theory?

The spreading out of waves when they encounter a barrier.

Explain superposition in wave theory.

When two waves collide, they combine; their amplitudes combine if in phase and cancel if in opposite phase.

What is refraction?

The process of waves bending as they transition between different media.

What is the Doppler Effect?

The change in frequency or wavelength of a wave in relation to an observer and their relative position to the source.

Write the equation for the Doppler Effect.

F_o = F_s x [(v ± v_o) / (v ± v_s)]

What are harmonics?

The frequency’s added to the base wave

What is a antinode?

The part of a standing wave that moves

What is a node?

The part of a standing wave that dosen’t move

What is a Standing Wave

A wave that appears to not be moving

Why don’t standing waves appear to be moving?

They have one or two fixed ends that make the wave bounce back.

Calculating Nodes

Number of Antinodes + One = Nodes

What is Reflection?

The process where waves bounce back after hitting a barrier or surface.

What is the Law of Reflection?

The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.

What is the Angle of Incidence?

The angle at which the incoming wave strikes a surface.

What is the Angle of Reflection?

The angle at which the wave moves away from the surface

What is Specular Reflection?

Reflection on smooth surfaces that creates clear, distinct images.

What is Diffused Reflection?

Reflection on rough surfaces that scatters light, producing unclear images.

What is the Refractive Index?

A measure that describes how light changes speed in a medium compared to a vacuum.

What is Absorption in terms of light?

When light energy is taken in by a substance, converting it to a different form of energy.

What are Photons?

Light particles that are formed from electromagnetic radiation.