waves

transverse waves

oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer

longitudinal waves

air particles oscillate parallel to the direction of energy transfer creating points of compression and rarefaction. compression is where there are points of high pressure and rarefaction is where there are points of low pressure

wavelength

distance between a point on a wave to where that same point occurs again

amplitude

maximum displacement from equilibrium position

time period

time taken for one complete wave to be formed

frequency

number of waves that pass a point every second

path difference

difference in distance travelled by two waves

phase difference

phase is measured in radians

superposition

when two waves meet, their displacement at each point adds up

constructive interference

when the peaks of 2 waves meet

destructive interference

when the peak of a wave meets the trough of another wave

refraction

when a wave travels from one medium to another there is a change in speed and direction

the normal line

dotted line perpendicular to the boundary at the point where the ray hits the boundary