WAVES (EDEXCEL)

what are waves?

They Transfer energy without transferring matter from one point to another.

Do mechanical waves require a medium to travel?

Yes, they require a medium to travel from one point to another, e.g., sound waves, sea waves, seismic waves.

Do Electromagnetic Waves require a medium to travel?

No, they Do not need a medium to travel, e.g., gamma and X-rays, visible light, radio waves.

What is meant by Transverse Waves?

Direction of vibration is perpendicular to the direction of wave motion, e.g., EM waves, water waves.

What is meant by Longitudinal Waves?

Direction of vibration is parallel to the direction of wave motion, e.g., sound waves.

Define Compression and Rarefaction?

Compression is when particles are closest together, rarefaction is when particles are furthest apart.

What is the amplitude of a wave?

Height of a crest or depth of a trough, representing the maximum displacement of a point on a wave.

What is time Period of a wave?

Time taken to produce one complete wave/oscillation.

What is frequency of a wave?

Number of waves passing a point per second, measured in Hertz (Hz).

What is wavelength of a wave?

Length of one complete wave or distance between two consecutive crests or troughs.

What is meant by wave Speed?

Distance traveled by a waveform per unit time, calculated as wavelength x frequency.

What is phase of the wave?

Two points are in phase if they have the same displacement and motion throughout the wave motion.

What is wavefront?

Imaginary line joining all crests or troughs of waves traveling parallel to one another.

What is reflection in a wave?

Change in direction of a wave as it collides with an obstacle, without changing frequency, wave speed, or wavelength.

What is refraction in a wave?

Change in wave speed and wavelength as the wave travels from one medium to another, or from one depth to another.

What is diffraction in a wave?

Spreading of waves at the edges of obstacles, depending on the size of the gap or wavelength.