3.1 - Progressive and Stationary Waves

• Define frequency and give its units

  The number of waves passing through a point per second, Hz
• Define wavelength


  The distance between 2 peaks or 2 troughs on a wave (2 corresponding points on the wave)
• Define amplitude


  The maximum displacement of the wave from its equilibrium position
• How can you find out the time period of a wave using its frequency?


  T = 1 / f

  Time period = 1 / frequency
• What is phase difference and what is it measured in?

  How much a particle/wave lags behind another particle/wave. Measured in radians, degrees and or fractions of a cycle
• What is a longitudinal wave?

  A wave in which the oscillation of the particles is parallel to the direction of energy transfer.

  There are rarefactions (areas of low pressure) and compressions (areas of high pressure)
• What is a transverse wave? Give examples.

  Waves where the particle oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer. For example: electromagnetic waves
• How fast do electromagnetic waves travel in a vacuum?

  The speed of light (c) = 3*10^8 ms^-1
• What does a polarising filter do?


  Only allows oscillations in one plane
• How is polarisation used as evidence of transverse waves?

  Polarisation can only occur if a wave's oscillations are perpendicular to its direction of travel (as they are in transverse waves)
• How is polarisation used in antennas?


  TV and radio signals are usually plane-polarised by the orientation of the rods on the transmitting aerial, so the receiving aerial must be aligned in the same plane of polarisation to receive the signal at full strength.
• What is a stationary wave?

  A wave which transfers no energy and whose positions of maximum and minimum amplitude are constant
• What is a node?

  A point on a stationary wave where the displacement is 0
• What is an antinode?

  A point on a stationary wave with maximum displacement
• What are the conditions for a stationary wave to be produced?

  - The waves must be the same frequency, wavelength and amplitude

  - They must be travelling in opposite directions

  These conditions are often met when a wave is reflected back onto itself
• How are stationary waves produced?

  A stationary wave is formed from the superposition of 2 progressive waves, travelling in opposite directions in the same plane, with the same frequency, wavelength and amplitude:

  - Where the waves meet in phase, constructive interference occurs so antinodes (regions of maximum amplitude) form.

  - Where the waves meet completely out of phase, destructive interference occurs and nodes (regions of no displacement) form.
• Describe the first harmonic for a stationary wave with two closed ends

  It consists of 2 nodes at either ends and an antinode in the middle
• Describe the second harmonic for a stationary wave with one open end and one closed end

  It consist of 2 nodes and 2 antinodes, with one of the nodes at the closed ends and one of the antinodes at the open end