Waves + Superposition
Table of Content
Waves...................................................................................................................................................................... 1
Key Information + Terminology......................................................................................................... 1
Doppler Effect............................................................................................................................................ 3
Electromagnetic Spectrum............................................................................................................... 4
Uses & Wavelength of EM Waves.................................................................................................. 5
Polarisation................................................................................................................................................... 6
Superposition................................................................................................................................................... 6
Key Information + Terminology....................................................................................................... 6
Diffraction..................................................................................................................................................... 9
Waves
Key Information + Terminology
Transverse Wave: The direction of oscillations/vibrations is perpendicular to the
direction of wave travel/energy transfer/wave propagation
Longitudinal Wave: The direction of oscillations/vibrations is parallel to the
direction of wave travel/energy transfer/wave propagation
, Displacement: Distance a wave is from its equilibrium position - vectory quantity
Amplitude: Maximum displacement of a particle in the wave from its equilibrium
position
Wavelength (λ): Distance between points on successive oscillations of the wave
that are in phase = distance between two peaks/troughs
Period (T): The time taken for one complete oscillation or cycle of the wave
Frequency (Unit = Hertz - Hz): The number of complete oscillations per unit time
Equations linking properties of waves:
1
f=
t
v=f × λ
Particles moving in a wave:
+ After passing a peak and before reaching a trough, particles vibrate
upwards
+ After passing a trough and before reaching a peak, particles vibrate
downwards
Phase difference: How much a point or a wave is in front or behind another
→ Measured in degrees or fractions
→ In phase = 2 π radians = peaks or troughs align together
→ Out of phase = when integer before π is 2, 4, 6,... → Includes antiphase =
π ,3 π , 5 π (half a wavelength behind or before) = when a peak of a wave aligns with
the trough of another or two points on a wave going in the opposite direction
Progressive Wave: Waves that transfer energy without transferring matter
Stationary Wave: Waves that don’t transfer energy
Mechanical Wave: A wave that requires a medium to travel away from its
source/transfer of energy through a medium
Table of Content
Waves...................................................................................................................................................................... 1
Key Information + Terminology......................................................................................................... 1
Doppler Effect............................................................................................................................................ 3
Electromagnetic Spectrum............................................................................................................... 4
Uses & Wavelength of EM Waves.................................................................................................. 5
Polarisation................................................................................................................................................... 6
Superposition................................................................................................................................................... 6
Key Information + Terminology....................................................................................................... 6
Diffraction..................................................................................................................................................... 9
Waves
Key Information + Terminology
Transverse Wave: The direction of oscillations/vibrations is perpendicular to the
direction of wave travel/energy transfer/wave propagation
Longitudinal Wave: The direction of oscillations/vibrations is parallel to the
direction of wave travel/energy transfer/wave propagation
, Displacement: Distance a wave is from its equilibrium position - vectory quantity
Amplitude: Maximum displacement of a particle in the wave from its equilibrium
position
Wavelength (λ): Distance between points on successive oscillations of the wave
that are in phase = distance between two peaks/troughs
Period (T): The time taken for one complete oscillation or cycle of the wave
Frequency (Unit = Hertz - Hz): The number of complete oscillations per unit time
Equations linking properties of waves:
1
f=
t
v=f × λ
Particles moving in a wave:
+ After passing a peak and before reaching a trough, particles vibrate
upwards
+ After passing a trough and before reaching a peak, particles vibrate
downwards
Phase difference: How much a point or a wave is in front or behind another
→ Measured in degrees or fractions
→ In phase = 2 π radians = peaks or troughs align together
→ Out of phase = when integer before π is 2, 4, 6,... → Includes antiphase =
π ,3 π , 5 π (half a wavelength behind or before) = when a peak of a wave aligns with
the trough of another or two points on a wave going in the opposite direction
Progressive Wave: Waves that transfer energy without transferring matter
Stationary Wave: Waves that don’t transfer energy
Mechanical Wave: A wave that requires a medium to travel away from its
source/transfer of energy through a medium
