Steven Kraplin – Yale.

12/5/07
Mrs. Zottler
Physics
Definitions
Definitions

Amplitude: The maximum displacement of particles of the medium from their mean positions during
the propagation of a wave is called the amplitude of the wave.

Antinodes: In a standing wave, the region or point of maximum amplitude between two adjacent nodes.

Blue Shift:

•Blue shift is the phenomenon that the frequency of an electromagnetic wave (such as light) emitted by
a source moving towards the observer is shifted towards the blue side of the electromagnetic spectrum
(that is, its wavelength is decreased, or its energy is increased).

•A decrease in the wavelength of radiation emitted by an approaching celestial body as a consequence

of the Doppler effect.

Bow Wave: A bow wave is the wave that forms at the bow of a boat when it moves through the water.
As the bow wave spreads out, it defines the outer limits of a boat's wake. The size of the bow wave is a
function of the speed of the boat, ocean waves, ocean depth, and the shape of the bow. A boat with a
large draft and a blunt bow will produce a large wave, while boats that plane over the surface of the
water or boats fitted with a bulbous bow will create smaller bow waves. Reducing the size of the bow
wave is a major goal of naval architecture, as bow waves sap energy from the boat and reduce fuel
economy; as well, large bow waves can damage shore facilities such as docks if a large boat sails past at
high speed.

Constructive Interference:

•The condition in which two waves arriving at the same place, at the same time and in phase, add
amplitudes to create a new wave.

•Phenomenon in which the phases of waves arriving at a specified point over two or more paths of
different lengths are such that the square of the resultant amplitude is greater than the sum of the
squares of the component amplitudes.

Crest: The point of maximum positive displacement on a transverse wave is called a crest.
Destructive Interference:

•The condition in which two waves arriving at the same point at the same time out of phase add
amplitudes to create zero total disturbance. (also see constructive interference

•(optics) The interaction of superimposed light from two different sources when the phase relationship
is such as to reduce or cancel the resultant intensity to less than the sum of the individual lights.

Doppler Effect:

•A change in the observed frequency of a wave, as of sound or light, occurring when the source and
observer are in motion relative to each other, with the frequency increasing when the source and
observer approach each other and decreasing when they move apart. The motion of the source causes a
real shift in frequency of the wave, while the motion of the observer produces only an apparent shift in
frequency. Also called Doppler shift.

•An apparent shift in the frequency of sound or light due to relative motion between the sources of the
sound or light and the observer

Frequency: The number of waves produced per second is called its frequency.

Hertz: A unit of frequency equal to one cycle per second.

In Phase: Having waveforms that are of the same frequency and that pass through corresponding values
at the same instant.

Interference Pattern: An overall pattern that results when two or more waves interfere with each other,
generally showing regions of constructive and of destructive interference. Optical interference patterns
are analyzed in devices such as interferometers; the acoustic effect of beats is an example of an
interference pattern.

Longitudinal waves: The wave in which the particles of the medium oscillate along the direction along
the direction of propagation of wave is called the longitudinal wave. Sound waves are longitudinal
waves.

Node: A point or region of virtually zero amplitude in a periodic system.

Out of Phase: Having waveforms that are of the same frequency but do not pass through corresponding
values at the same instant.

Period: The time interval between two successive occurrences of a recurrent event or phases of an
event; a cycle

Red Shift: An increase in the wavelength of radiation emitted by a celestial body as a consequence of
the Doppler Effect.
Shock Wave: A large-amplitude compression wave, as that produced by an explosion or by supersonic
motion of a body in a medium.

Simple Harmonic Motion:

•The vibratory motion that occurs when there is a restoring force opposite to and proportional to a
displacement

Sine Curve:

•The graph of the equation y = sin x. Also called sinusoid.

•The wave form of an alternating current, characterized by a rise from zero to maximum positive
potential, then descending below zero to its maximum negative value, and then rising to its maximum
positive potential, to fall to zero again.

Sonic Boom:

•Sound waves that pile up into a shock wave when a source is traveling at or faster than the speed of
sound.

•An explosive sound caused by the shock wave preceding an aircraft traveling at or above the speed of
sound.

Standing Wave:

•A wave characterized by lack of vibration at certain points, between which areas of maximum
vibration occur periodically. Standing waves are produced whenever a wave is confined within
boundaries, as in the vibrating string of a musical instrument. Also called stationary wave.

•Condition where two waves of equal frequency traveling in opposite directions meet and form
stationary regions of maximum displacement due to constructive interference and stationary regions of
zero displacement due to destructive interference

Trough: The point of maximum negative displacement on a transverse wave is called a trough.

Vibration:

•A back and forth motion that repeats itself

•The term used to describe a continuing periodic change in the magnitude of a displacement with
respect to a specified central reference.
Wave:

•A disturbance or oscillation that moves through a medium

•A disturbance traveling through a medium by which energy is transferred from one particle of the
medium to another without causing any permanent displacement of the medium itself.

Wavelength:

•The distance between the two nearest points on a wave, which are in the same phase, is called the
wavelength of the wave. The distance between two adjacent crests or two adjacent troughs is called its
wavelength.

•The distance between two points on a wave which have the same value and the same rate of change of
the value of a parameter, for example, electric intensity, characterizing the wave. The wavelength,
usually designated by the Greek letter λ, is equal to the speed of propagation c of the wave divided by
the frequency of vibration f; that is, λ = c/f.

Sources:

Wikipedia.com
Answers.com
thefreedictionary.com