Define progressive wave
A progressive wave is a wave in which energy is transferred from one point to another by means of vibrations or oscillations within the waves, without transporting matter
Define transverse waves
Transverse waves are waves in which the direction of vibrations are perpendicular to direction of energy transfer
Define a mechanical wave
A mechanical wave is a wave that requires a medium for its transmission
Define longitudinal waves
Longitudinal waves are waves in which direction of vibrations are parallel to direction of energy transfer
Define an electromagnetic wave
An electromagnetic wave is a wave consisting of oscillating electric and magnetic fields perpendicular to each other and to direction of energy transfer
What are the characteristics of electromagnetic waves
- Transverse in nature
- Electric and magnetic fields oscillate perpendicularly to each other and perpendicular to direction of energy transfer
- Travel at the speed of light in vacuum
- Obey the wavespeed equation
- Does not require medium for transmission
List the EM spectrum in increasing wavelength
- Gamma
- X
- UV
- Visible light
- Infrared
- Micro
- Radio
List the EM spectrum in increasing frequency
- Radio
- Micro
- Infrared
- Visible light
- UV
- X
- Gamma
What is the wavelength of red light
700nm
What is the wavelength of violet light
400nm
Define displacement
Displacement is the shortest linear distance of a point on a wave from its equilibrium position
Define amplitude
Amplitude is the maximum displacement of a point on a wave from its equilibrium position
Define period
Period is the time taken for one complete oscillation of a point on a wave
Define wavefront
Wavefront is an imaginary line joining points that are in phase
Define frequency
Frequency is the number of oscillations per unit time of a point on a wave
Define wavelength
Wavelength is the minimum distance between any 2 points of a wave in phase
Define wavespeed
Wave speed is the speed with which energy is transmitted by a wave
Define a ray
A ray is the direction in which the energy of a wave is travelling, which is always perpendicular to wavefronts
Define phase
Phase is an angle that measures the fraction of a cycle that has been completed by an oscillating particle or wave
Define phase difference
Phase difference measures how much one wave is out of step with another or how much one particle in a wave is out of step with another
What is the phase difference for particles in phase
0
What is the phase difference for particles in anti-phase
pi
Define intensity
Intensity of a wave is power transferred by a wave per unit area
What is the unit for intensity
W m^-2
