Edexcel igcse physics definitions
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amplitude
Ans: The maximum displacement of a particle from its equilibrium position.
doppler effect
Ans: The change in the frequency and wavelength of a wave caused by
the relative movement of source and detector.
electromagnetic wave
Ans: Transverse waves that combine oscillating magnetic and electric
fields.
frequency
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Ans: The number of cycles of an oscillation that occur in unit time. The unit
is the hertz (Hz).
longitudinal
Ans: Wave motion in which the vibration occurs in the same direction as
the wave is travelling.
period
Ans: the time taken to complete one cycle.
reflection
Ans: Bouncing back of a wave as it arrives at a barrier.
refraction
Ans: Change in direction of a wave as it passes from one material to
another.
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transverse
Ans: Wave motion in which the vibrations occur at right angles to the
direction in which the wave is travelling.
wavefront
Ans: On a diagram the crests of a wave are represented by lines known
as wavefronts
alternating current
Ans: current that reapedly travels one way and then the other
Ampere
Ans: the unit of current
component
Ans: anything in a circuit other than a cable or meter