Superposition of Waves - The principle that states the net displacement at a given time due to two or more waves coincident at a point is the vector sum of the displacements of the individual waves considered independently., Interference Pattern - The observed result of wave trains arriving at the same point at the same time and superpositioning., Coherence - Two or more wave trains are coherent if they have a constant phase relationship to each other, meaning the phase difference between them does not vary with time., Path Difference - The difference in the lengths of two routes taken by waves, usually expressed in terms of the wavelength in the given context., Constructive Interference - Occurs when waves superpose exactly in phase, producing the maximum possible net amplitude., Destructive Interference - Occurs when waves superpose out of phase, producing zero net amplitude., Conditions for Interference - (1) The sources must be coherent. (2) They must have similar amplitudes. Note: Being coherent implies having the same frequency/wavelength. There may be other trivial conditions, such as being the same type of wave, etc., Standing (Stationary) Wave - Formed by two progressive waves of the same frequency, amplitude, and type traveling in opposite directions along the same line in the same medium. Each point oscillates with a different amplitude dependent upon its position., Nodes - Points on a stationary wave where the amplitude of oscillation is zero (no oscillation)., Anti-nodes - Points on a stationary wave where the amplitude of oscillation is a maximum., Fundamental Mode of Vibration - The simplest standing wave pattern that satisfies the boundary conditions and has the smallest possible number of nodes and antinodes., Harmonics - Different modes of vibration in a system, counted from the fundamental mode as the first harmonic., Overtones - Harmonics counted from the first mode above the fundamental mode, where the first overtone is equivalent to the second harmonic., Photon - A quantum or particle of electromagnetic energy., Planck’s Hypothesis - The energy of a photon is directly proportional to the frequency of the electromagnetic wave., Electron-Volt (eV) - The energy gained by an electron when accelerated through a potential difference of one volt., Photoelectric Effect - The phenomenon where free electrons are ejected from the surface of a metal when it is exposed to light of sufficiently high frequency (energy)., Free Electrons - Electrons that are not bound to any particular parent atom but move freely within a lattice or material., Work Function - The minimum energy required to remove a free electron from the surface of a metal. [Units: joules or electron-volts (eV)], Threshold Frequency - The minimum frequency of light or radiation that will cause the photoelectric effect for a particular metal. [Units: hertz], de Broglie Hypothesis - The hypothesis that all particles have wave-like characteristics associated with them (and vice versa), such that the wavelength is inversely proportional to the particle's momentum. [λ = h / p] (where λ is the wavelength, h is Planck's constant, and p is momentum),

Physics Module 4 Part 3

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