Theme 3: The nature of waves

A wave in which the vibration is up and down at right angles to the direction of the wave

• Transverse wave

• Longitudinal wave

A wave in which the vibration is parallel, along the direction of travel of the wave.

• Transverse wave

• Longitudinal wave

The time for one complete wave.

• Frequency

• Periodic time

The distance between two successive crests or troughs.

• Length

• Wavelength

• Amplitude

The number of complete waves in one second

• Periodic time

• Frequency

The height of a crest or the depth of a trough above rest position.

• Wavelength

• Amplitude

• Height

The angle of incidence is always equal to the angle of reflection.

• Law of reflection

• Law of refraction

• Law of diffraction

A phenomenon which occurs when the gap width is equal or less than the wavelength of the waves.

• Reflection

• Refraction

• Diffraction

A phenomenon which occurs when light passes from one medium to another (eg air to glass) and it suffers:

•a change in direction (not always)

•a change in speed (always)

• Reflection

• Refraction

• Diffraction

• Dispersion

A measure of how much the optical material is able to bend light.

• Magnification

• Refractive index