Review of Waves and Oscillations

These flashcards cover important vocabulary and concepts related to waves and oscillations, designed for exam review.

Wavelength (λ)

The distance between successive crests of a wave.

Wave Speed (v)

The speed at which a wave travels through a medium.

Transverse wave

A wave in which the particle displacement is perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation.

Longitudinal wave

A wave in which the particle displacement is parallel to the direction of wave propagation.

Amplitude (A)

The maximum displacement of points on a wave, which is related to energy.

Frequency (f)

The number of cycles or oscillations that occur in a unit of time, measured in Hertz (Hz).

Tension in a string

The force that is applied to a string or rope, influencing wave speed on the string.

Node

A point in a standing wave that remains stationary and is where destructive interference occurs.

Antinode

A point in a standing wave where the amplitude is at a maximum.

Period (T)

The time it takes for one complete cycle of a wave.

Destructive Interference

When two waves meet in such a way that they cancel each other out.

Constructive Interference

When two or more waves overlap and combine to make a wave with a larger amplitude.

Standing wave

A wave that stays in a constant position, created by the interference of two waves traveling in opposite directions.

Harmonic

A wave whose frequency is a whole-number multiple of the fundamental frequency.

Sound Speed

The speed at which sound waves travel through a medium, affected by temperature and medium density.

Electromagnetic Waves

Waves that consist of oscillating electric and magnetic fields and can travel through a vacuum.

Young's Experiment

An experiment that demonstrates the wave nature of light through interference patterns.

Frequency Equation

f = v / λ, where f is frequency, v is velocity, and λ is wavelength.

Reflection of Waves

When a wave encounters a boundary and bounces back.

Refraction of Waves

The bending of waves as they pass from one medium to another, changing speed and direction.

Wave Equation

An equation that describes the shape of a wave; for a sinusoidal wave, it can be expressed as y(x,t) = A sin(kx - ωt).