Wave Behaviour (Leaving Cert Physics): Flashcards

The bouncing of waves off an obstacle in their path

Frequency, speed, and wavelength remain constant

Echoes

Changing of wave direction when entering a medium where its speed changes

Frequency (depends only on the source)

Increases (since $v = f\lambda$ and frequency is constant)

Sideways spreading of waves through a gap or around an obstacle

When gap size is similar to the wavelength

Displacement at any point = algebraic sum of individual wave displacements

Waves meet in phase (crest meets crest, trough meets trough)

Waves meet out of phase (crest meets trough)

Regions of maximum disturbance from constructive interference

Regions of minimum disturbance from destructive interference

Only transverse waves (not longitudinal)

No light passes through the second filter