Superposition

Stationary WavesSign up

know and understand what is meant by wavefront, coherence, path difference, superposition, interference and phase · be able to use the relationship between phase difference and path difference · know what is meant by a standing/stationary wave and understand how such a wave is formed, know how to identify nodes and antinodes · be able to use the equation for the speed of a transverse wave on a string v = sqrt(T/mu) · CORE PRACTICAL 5: Investigate the effects of length, tension and mass per unit length on the frequency of a vibrating string or wire · be able to use the equation for the intensity of radiation I = P/A

Diffraction and the Diffraction GratingSign up

know and understand that at the interface between medium 1 and medium 2, n1 sin theta1 = n2 sin theta2 where refractive index is n = c/v · be able to calculate critical angle using sin C = 1/n · be able to predict whether total internal reflection will occur at an interface · understand how to measure the refractive index of a solid material · understand what is meant by plane polarisation · understand what is meant by diffraction and use Huygens' construction to explain what happens to a wave when it meets a slit or an obstacle · be able to use n lambda = d sin theta for a diffraction grating · CORE PRACTICAL 6: Determine the wavelength of light from a laser or other light source using a diffraction grating