Ordinary Level Physics Waves

Practice flashcards covering definitions, classifications, and descriptive terms for waves based on the Ordinary Level Physics lecture notes.

What is the definition of a wave?

A wave is a disturbance which travels through a medium and transfers energy from one point to another without causing any permanent displacement of the medium itself or transferring matter.

How are mechanical waves produced?

Mechanical waves are produced by a vibrating body and are transmitted by particles of the medium vibrating to and fro.

Do mechanical waves require a material medium for propagation?

Yes, mechanical waves require a material medium for their propagation.

Give four examples of mechanical waves mentioned in the transcript.

Water waves, sound waves, waves on stretched strings, and waves on vibrating springs.

What characterizes electromagnetic waves?

They are produced by a disturbance in the form of varying electric or magnetic fields and do not require a material medium for their propagation, meaning they can travel in a vacuum.

List the types of electromagnetic waves identified in the text.

Radio, infra red, light, Ultraviolet, X-rays, and Gamma rays.

How do particles of a medium move when a wave passes?

The particles of the medium vibrate about a mean position, passing the vibrations from one particle to the next.

Define amplitude.

The greatest displacement of any wave particle from its equilibrium position.

What is a wave length ($\lambda$)?

The distance between two successive particles in a wave profile that are in phase, or the distance covered in a complete cycle of a wave (e.g., between two successive crests or troughs).

What is a crest in a wave profile?

The maximum displaced point above the line of zero disturbance.

What is a trough in a wave profile?

The maximum displaced point below the line of zero disturbance.

Define a wave front.

A line or surface that joins points of the same phase in a wave travelling through a medium, or an imaginary line joining the set of particles that are in the same state of motion.

How is the direction of travel of a wave related to the wave front?

The direction of travel of the wave is always at right angles to the wave front.

What does it mean for wave particles to be 'in phase'?

Particles are in phase if they are at the same point in their path at the same time and are moving in the same direction.

What is a cycle or oscillation?

A complete to and fro motion of a wave.

Define Period ($T$).

The time taken for any particle to undergo a complete oscillation.

Define Frequency ($f$).

The number of oscillations per second.

What is wave velocity ($v$)?

The distance covered by a wave particle per second in a given direction.

What is phase in wave motion?

A fraction of a cycle which has elapsed after a particle passing a fixed point.