waves 2

describing wave motion

amplitude wavelength frequency

amplitude

the maximum displacement of a point from its rest position

wavelength

the distance covered by one complete full cycle of a wave

frequency

the number of complete waves passing a point per second measured in hertz

how to measure wave speed

stretched spring method: use a signal generator and string to establish a stationary wave pattern allowing measurements of node to node distances

refraction

when a wave changes direction as it crosses the boundary between two different mediums

speed and density

waves changes speed when passing into a medium with a different density . entering a denser medium usually causes a light wave to slow down

wavelength change in refraction

because wave speed equals frequency times wavelength the frequency remains constant during refraction

wave properties and interactions

wavefront : visualised as lines representing a single wave crest ; closely spaced wavefronts mean short wavelengths whilst wider mean longer wavelengths

interactions in wave properties

when waves meet a boundary they can undergo reflection refraction or absorption depending on th me material properties