Scribd
Upload
98 views1 page

Gcse Waves

This document defines key terms related to waves including amplitude, wavelength, time period, frequency, and defines transverse and longitudinal waves. It distinguishes between electromagnetic, mechanical, transverse and longitudinal waves. It also covers topics in optics such as refraction, refractive index, Snell's law, focal point, and total internal reflection. Refraction describes how light changes speed and direction when passing from one medium to another. Snell's law defines the relationship between angles of incidence and refraction based on the refractive indices of the materials.

Uploaded by

DanKimberley
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
98 views1 page

Gcse Waves

This document defines key terms related to waves including amplitude, wavelength, time period, frequency, and defines transverse and longitudinal waves. It distinguishes between electromagnetic, mechanical, transverse and longitudinal waves. It also covers topics in optics such as refraction, refractive index, Snell's law, focal point, and total internal reflection. Refraction describes how light changes speed and direction when passing from one medium to another. Snell's law defines the relationship between angles of incidence and refraction based on the refractive indices of the materials.

Uploaded by

DanKimberley
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 1

GCSE Waves

Amplitude – greatest displacement from equilibrium. (m)


Wavelength – distance between the same point on two consecutive waves. (m)
Time period – time taken for one oscillation. (s)
Frequency – how many complete waves pass a certain point per second = 1/T.
Transverse – oscillations perpendicular to direction of wave propagation.
Longitudinal – oscillations parallel to direction of wave propagation.
Wave – transfer of energy through vibrations without the net movement of particles.

WAVES Transverse Longitudinal


Electromagnetic All of them !
Mechanical S, Water, String, Guitar P, Sound, Ultrasound,
Infrasound

Refraction

Light going from air to glass

Refractive index measures optical density. N = c / v where v is the speed of light in material.
Focal point – the point at which all parallel rays meet.
Snell’s Law
N1 refractive index of starting medium. α1 = angle of incidence.
N2 refractive index of second medium, α2 = angle of reflection
N1 sin α1 =N2 sin α2
Total Internal Reflection
When going from something more dense to less dense.
Sin of critical angle = n2/n1

You might also like