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Map 4: Waves & Superposition - Coggle Diagram
Map 4: Waves & Superposition
Waves & Wave Properties
Wave Motion
(transfers) --> Energy & Momentum without transferring matter
Classifications
Progressive Wave: Carries energy away from source
Transverse Wave: Oscillations perpendicular to direction of energy transfer (e.g., Light, EM waves)
Longitudinal Wave: Oscillations parallel to direction of energy transfer (e.g., Sound)
(consists of) --> Compressions (high pressure) & Rarefactions (low pressure)
Fundamental Parameters
Displacement (x): Distance from equilibrium position [m]
Amplitude (A): Maximum displacement [m]
Period (T): Time for one complete oscillation [s]
Frequency (f): Number of oscillations per unit time [Hz] (f = 1 / T)
Wavelength (λ): Distance between two adjacent points in phase [m]
Wave Speed (v): v = f λ
Intensity (I) [W/m²]
(is defined as) --> Energy per unit time per unit area (I = P / A)
(depends on amplitude) --> Intensity is directly proportional to Amplitude squared (I ∝ A²)
Electromagnetic (EM) Waves & Polarization
EM Spectrum (Decreasing λ / Increasing f)
Radio → Microwave → Infrared → Visible → UV → X-rays → Gamma rays
All travel at c = 3.00 × 10⁸ m/s in vacuum
Polarization
(applies ONLY to) --> Transverse Waves
(restricts) --> Oscillations to a single plane perpendicular to wave direction
Malus’s Law: I = I0 cos²θ
Superposition & Stationary Waves
Principle of Superposition
(states that) --> When two waves meet, resultant displacement is vector sum of individual displacements
Stationary (Standing) Waves
(formed by) --> Superposition of two progressive waves of same frequency & amplitude traveling in opposite directions
Features:
Nodes: Points of zero amplitude (Destructive interference) | Distance between nodes = λ / 2
Antinodes: Points of maximum amplitude (Constructive interference)
Does NOT transfer net energy
Interference, Diffraction & Gratings
Coherence
Waves have constant phase difference and same frequency
Two-Slit Interference (Young’s Double Slit)
Fringe Spacing Formula: x = λ D / a (a = Slit separation, D = Distance to screen, x = Fringe width)
Diffraction Grating
Grating Formula: d sinθ = n λ
d = Slit spacing (d = 1 / N where N = lines per meter) | n = Order of maximum (n = 0, 1, 2...)