C - Wave Behaviour

definition of wave

a disturbance that transfers energy from point to point in a medium

definition of transverse wave

a wave where the direction of energy transfer is perpendicular to the direction in which the particles of the medium oscillate/vibrate

definition of longitudinal wave

a wave where the direction of energy transfer is parallel to the direction in which the particles of the medium oscillate/vibrate

what type of wave is sound wave

longitudinal

Wavefront

surfaces that move with the wave and are perpendicular to the direction of the wave motion

Ray

lines that show the direction of energy transfer by the wave. They are locally perpendicular to the wavefront

Total internal reflection

occurs when a wave travelling from a denser medium to a less dense medium hits the boundary at an angle greater than the critical angle, causing the wave to be completely reflected back into the original medium instead of refracting through

Principle of superposition

When waves of the same type meet at a point in a medium, their individual displacements add

Constructive Interference

when two waves meet in phase

Destructive interference

when two waves meet out of phase

Standing Wave

a wave pattern that forms when a wave traveling through a medium reflects off a boundary and interferes with the incoming wave. The incident and reflected waves superpose to create fixed points of zero displacement (nodes) and points of maximum displacement (antinodes) that do not move along the medium.

One free-end, one fixed-end formulas

Two fixed ends formulas

Pipe open at both ends

Pipe closed at one end (open in other)

Pipe closed at both ends

Damping

Energy is transferred away from the oscillation resulting in reduction in amplitude. Acts in opposite direction of restoring force

Critical Damping

Energy is transferred from the oscillator at the maximum possible rate

Heavy Damping

Returns system to equilibrium slowly with no full oscillation

Light Damping

The amplitude of oscillations gradually decreases over time

Oscillation

A system with a restoring force that brings the system back to equilibrium position when the system is displaced from equilibrium