Key terms

• amplitude (A) in amps is largest displacement from equilibrium position, measure of energy carried by wave, can measure intensity, sound.
• period (T) in seconds is time taken by one full wave to pass a point
• frequency (f) in Hz is number of waves going past a point per second
• wavelength (λ) in m is distance between two crests/troughs on a wave
• Antinode

  A point on a standing wave with maximum amplitude.
• Beats

  A resultant wave caused by constructive and destructive interference
• Diffraction

  The spreading out of a wave after passing through a narrow gap
• Displacement

  How much a medium is moved from a resting position. Plotted on the y-axis of a graph
• Doppler Effect

  An increase or decrease in frequency due to a moving observer or object
• Harmonic

  A whole number multiple of the resonant frequency
• Interference

  When two waves sum to make a new wave of larger, smaller, or the same amplitude
• Longitudinal Wave

  A wave whose material moves parallel to the direction of the wave.
• Node

  A point on a standing wave with minimum amplitude.
• Oscillate

  Move forwards and backwards from a constant point
• Resonant Frequency

  The natural vibration of a wave.
• Standard Form

  A number from 1 to 10, multiplied by 10 to the power of something
• Standing Wave

  A vibration where some parts of the wave remain fixed, while others oscillate to maximum amplitude.
• Wave

  Something that moves energy.
• The path difference is the extra distance waves from one source have to travel compared to the other