Here are some definitions to learn for the waves topic. Remember you must be able to spell:
REFLECT, DIFFRACT and REFRACT
Term | Definition |
Amplitude (A) | the distance from the middle of the wave to the top (or the bottom) measured in metres. Maximum displacement from the mean position! |
amplitude, (A) | maximum disturbance of the particles in a wave. (or distance from middle to top of wave) (m) |
Angle of incidence | the angle between an incident ray and the normal (a line perpendicular to the reflecting surface at the point of incidence) (°) |
Angle of reflection | the angle between a reflected ray and the normal (°) |
Angle of refraction | the angle between the light ray in the more optically dense material and the normal. (°) |
Critical angle | The critical angle is the angle of incidence above which total internal reflection occurs. (°) |
Diffraction | occurs when wave meet a barrier, the waves bend around an obstacle. Long waves diffract more thank short waves. |
Energy and waves | Waves transmit energy. The greater the amplitude the more energy is transferred. |
Frequency, (f) | the number of waves per second. Frequency is measured in hertz (Hz). |
Frequency, (f) | number of waves produced or passing a point per second. (Hertz or Hz) |
Law of reflection | The angle of incidence = the angle of reflection |
Longitudinal wave | In a longitudinal wave the particles move along the line of the direction of travel of energy. |
Normal | a line at 90° to the surface at the point of incidence, (from which all angles are measured.) |
Period. (T) | Time for one wave to pass a point or time for one wave to be produced. (s) |
Principle of reversibility of light | The principle of reversibility of light states that a ray of light which travels along any particular path from some point A to another point B travels by the same path when going from B to A. |
Reflection | when a wave “bounces off” a surface we say it is reflected. (Particles can also reflect) |
Refraction | when light waves travel from one material to another the waves slow down and there is a reduction in wavelength in the optical thicker material. Unless the waves enter along the normal there is also a change of direction. |
Speed, (v) | rate of covering a distance. Number of metres travelled per second. (ms-1) The speed of the waves is represented by the formula |
Total Internal Reflection | When a wave hits a boundary at an angle larger than the critial angle the wave is entirely reflected if the material on the other side of the boundary is less optically dense. |
Transverse wave | In a transverse wave the particles move at 90 degrees to the direction of the flow of energy. |
Wave | a way of transferring energy. |
Wave speed | the speed at which the wave travels |
Wavelength | the distance between the same point on successive waves. |
Wavelength, (λ) | the distance between two successive points on a wave. (metre or m) |
Wavelength, (λ) | The wavelength of a wave is the horizontal distance between two adjacent troughs or crests or any two corresponding points on the wave |