Waves - DEFINITIONS

Front

Pulse

Back

A pulse is a single disturbance in a medium.

Front

Transverse wave.

Back

A wave in which the particles of the medium vibrate at right angles to the direction of motion of the wave.

Front

Amplitude

Back

The maximum displacement of a particle from its equilibrium position.

Front

Wavelength

Back

The distance between two successive points in phase.

Front

Principle of superposition.

Back

The algebraic sum of the amplitudes of two pulses that occupy the same space at the same time.

Front

What is a trough?

Back

The lowest point on a wave.

Front

Explain constructive interference.

Back

The phenomenon where the crest of one pulse overlaps with the crest of another to produce a pulse of increased amplitude.

Front

Destructive interference

Back

The phenomenon where the crest of one pulse overlaps with the trough of another, resulting in a pulse of reduced amplitude.

Front

How is frequency related to waves?

Back

The number of wave pulses per second.

Front

Define the period of a wave?

Back

The time taken for one complete wave pulse.