Term Definition
Amplitu It is the maximum
de displacement of the particle
from its mean position
Analyzer It is a polarizer that detects
the angle of polarization
Antinod It is a point a maximum
e amplitude in a standing
wave
Boundar These are the conditions
y that must be present at the
Conditio
edges of a system for a
ns
standing wave to be formed.
Also called resonant modes
Complet It is the interference of in
e phase waves leading to a
Constru
summation into a larger
ctive
amplitude wave
Interfere
nce
Complet It is the interference of out
e of phase waves leading to a
Destruct
summation into a zero
ive
amplitude wave
Interfere
nce
Compres It is an area of high particle
sion density in a longitudinal
wave
Constru It is interference that
ctive increases the displacement
Interfere
of both waves
nce
Critical It is the angle at which there
Angle is no refraction and
complete reflection back
into the medium
Destruct It is interference that
ive decreases the displacement
Interfere
of both waves
nce
Di!use It is the reflection of several
Reflectio rays from a rough surface
n
Displace It is the net distance an
ment object has travelled from its
starting point in a direction
Electro It is a transverse wave with
magneti an electrical and magnetic
c Wave
component
First It is the resonant mode with
Harmoni the lowest frequency
c
Frequen It is the number of
cy oscillations in one second
Fringes It is the pattern of light and
dark regions formed by
di!raction
Geometr It is the region not in line
ic with the aperture
Shadow
Region
In Phase These are waves with a
Waves phase di!erence of zero or
path di!erence of nλ
Intensit It is the energy per unit area
y
Interfere It is the superposition of two
nce waves of the same type
when they come together
Longitud It is a travelling wave where
inal the oscillation is parallel to
Wave
the direction of energy
transfer
Monochr It is a source that emits one
omatic frequency of light
Source
Node It is a point at rest in a
standing wave
Oscillati They are the continual
ons movement of an object
around a fixed point,
creating a cyclical path the
object travels to constantly
interchange between
kinetic and potential energy
Out Of These are waves with a
Phase phase di!erence of 180° or
Waves
path di!erence of (n+1/2)λ
Perfect It is the reflection of a single
Reflectio ray from a smooth surface
n
Period It is the time it takes to
complete one oscillation
Phase It is the measure of the
Di!eren alignment of two
ce
oscillations
Plane Of It is the plane of the electric
Vibratio field of an electromagnetic
n
wave and the direction of
wave propagation
Plane- It is light with a fixed plane
Polarize of vibration
d Light
Polarizer It is a device that
transforms unpolarized light
into plane-polarized light
Rarefact It is an area of low particle
ion density in a longitudinal
wave
Ray It represents the direction
of travel of wave energy
Reflectio It is the scattering of a wave
n when it hits a surface
Refracti It is the change in direction
on of a wave when it crosses
from one medium to
another due to a change in
wave speed
Standin It is a wave whose spatial
g Wave pattern remains constant
whilst the amplitude
changes
Total It is the complete reflection
Internal of a wave back into the
Reflectio
medium
n
Transver It is a travelling wave where
se Wave the oscillation is
perpendicular to the
direction of energy transfer
Travellin It is an oscillating wave that
g Wave transfers energy through a
medium via the movement
of particles in the direction
of the wave at a constant
speed
Unpolari It is light with a randomly
zed varying plane of vibration
Light
Wave It is a non-sinusoidal
Pulse disturbance of a medium
that propagates as a half of
a wave
Wavefro It represents the moving
nt together of oscillation
points
Wavelen It is the distance one
gth oscillation travels
13: Wave Behaviour
(HL)
Term Definition
Angular It is the angle oscillated per
Frequen unit time
cy
Blue It is the increase in
Shift frequency of light due to the
moving closer of an
observer or source
Di!racti It is the spreading of waves
on after passing through
apertures, resulting in an
energy distribution in the
geometric shadow region
Red It is the decrease in
Shift frequency of light due to the
moving away of an observer
or source
Simple It is the motion of an object
Harmoni where its acceleration is
c Motion
proportional to and towards
its displacement
Single- It is the spreading of a wave
Slit through a single aperture
Di!racti
on