Wave behaviour and EM waves

What do two or more waves moving together have?

Wavefronts

When is it useful to talk about wave fronts + what are they?

waves approaching an obstacle or boundary, there are multiple waves moving in the same direction

Wavefronts are imaginary planes that cut across all the waves, connecting the points on adjacent waves which are vibrating together.

What is the distance between each wave front equal to?

One wavelength, ie. Each wavefront is at the same point in the cycle

What does the Doppler effect do to waves?

Makes them longer or shorter

What will change when a wave is moving vs stationary?

The waves produced by a source which is moving towards or away from an observer will have a different wavelength than they would if the source were stationary

Why does an object being stationary or moving effect its wavelength?

Wave speed is constant, so if the source is moving it ‘catches up’ to the waves in front of it. This causes the wave fronts to bunch up in front of the moving source and spread out behind it

What will the frequency and wavelength from a source moving towards you be like?

The frequency of a wave from a source moving towards you will be higher and it’s wavelength will be shorter than the wave produced by the source.

What will the frequency and wavelength be like of a source moving away from you?

The frequency of a wave from a source moving away from you will be lower and its wavelength will be longer than the wave produced by the source.

What is the relationship between speed and wavelength like?

The faster a wave is moving away from you, the longer its wavelength will be.