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Physics - WAVES
Term | Definition |
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Interference Pattern | The pattern formed by superposition of different sets of waves that produces reinforcement in some places and cancellation in others. |
Standing Wave | A stationary wave pattern formed in a medium when two sets of identical waves pass through the medium in opposite directions. |
Doppler Effect | The shift in received frequency due to motion of a vibrating source toward or away from a receiver. |
Reflection | Return of light rays from a surface in such a way that the angle at which a given ray is returned is equal to the angle at which it strikes the surface. In general, the bouncing back of a particle or wave that strikes the boundary between two media. |
Refraction | Bending sound or any wave caused by a difference in wave speeds. |
Diffraction | Bending of light that passes around an obstacle or through a narrow slit, causing the light to spread and to produce light and dark fringes. |
Interference | Result of superposing different waves, often of the same wavelength. Constructive interference results from crest-to-crest reinforcement; destructive interference results from crest-to-trough cancellation. |
Node | Any part of a standing wave that remains stationary; a region of minimal or zero energy. |
Antinodes | Any part of a standing wave with maximum displacement and maximum energy. |
Pitch | Term that refers to our subjective impression about the "highness" or "lowness" of a tone, which is related to the frequency of the tone. A high-frequency vibrating source produces a sound of high pitch; a low-frequency vibrating produces a low pitch. |
Overtones | Musical term where the first overtone is the second harmonic. |
Beat | Sequence of alternating reinforcement and cancellation of two sets of superimposed waves differing in frequency, heard as a throbbing sound. |
Electromagnetic Waves | Often called light waves, caused by any charged particle that vibrates (electrons), can travel through empty space with no need for a medium, and travels at the speed of light 3 x 10^8 m/s |
Mechanical Waves | Need a medium to travel through, they vibrate the medium, and travel through air a t 340 m/s. |
Resonance | Phenomenon that occurs when the frequency of forced vibrations on an object matches the object's natural frequency, producing a dramatic increase in amplitude. |