Waves – Vocabulary Flashcards (IGCSE Cambridge Physics)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key wave concepts from the notes, including energy transfer, wave properties, wave types, and ripple tank phenomena.

Wave

A disturbance that transfers energy through a medium (or vacuum for EM waves) with oscillations about a fixed position; matter does not travel with the wave.

Wavefront

An imaginary line joining points of the wave that are in the same phase; the spacing between adjacent wavefronts equals the wavelength.

Wavelength (λ)

The distance from one point on a wave to the same point on the next wave; measured in metres; in transverse waves from crest to crest, in longitudinal waves from compression to compression.

Frequency (f)

The number of waves passing a point each second; measured in Hertz (Hz).

Amplitude (A)

The maximum displacement of a particle from its undisturbed position.

Crest

The highest point on a wave above its undisturbed position.

Trough

The lowest point on a wave below its undisturbed position.

Wave speed (v)

The speed at which energy is transferred by a wave; v = f × λ.

Transverse wave

Vibration is perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer; can travel in solids, on the surface of liquids, and in a vacuum.

Longitudinal wave

Vibration is parallel to the direction of propagation; energy transfer is in the same direction as the wave; can travel in solids, liquids and gases; cannot travel in a vacuum.

Medium

The substance through which a wave travels (solids, liquids, or gases); speed depends on the medium.

Vacuum

A space with no matter; only electromagnetic waves can travel in a vacuum.

Reflection

The bouncing back of a wave at a boundary; angle of incidence equals angle of reflection.

Refraction

Change in speed and direction of a wave as it enters a different medium; wavelength changes while frequency stays the same.

Diffraction

The spreading of waves as they pass through a narrow gap or around an edge; more noticeable when gap width is similar to the wavelength.

Ripple tank

An experimental setup used to study water waves, showing reflection, refraction due to depth changes, and diffraction.

Normal

A line perpendicular to a boundary used to measure angles of incidence and refraction.

Angle of incidence

The angle between the incident ray and the normal.

Law of reflection

Angle of incidence equals angle of reflection.

P-wave

Primary seismic wave; longitudinal; travels through solids, liquids, and gases.

S-wave

Secondary seismic wave; transverse; travels through solids only.

Compressions

Regions in a longitudinal wave where particles are close together.

Rarefactions

Regions in a longitudinal wave where particles are spread apart.

Edge diffraction

Diffraction that occurs when waves bend around an edge or around a barrier.

Wave equation

v = f × λ; describes how wave speed relates to frequency and wavelength.