| A | B |
|---|
| Maxwell's Equations | Four equations that describe all electric and magnetic phenomena |
| electromagnetic waves | transverse waves consisting of perpendicular electric and magnetic components; no medium needed |
| electromagnetic spectrum | EM waves that all travel at the same speed with different wavelengths and frequencies |
| intensity | the energy transported per unit time per unit area |
| interference patterns | produced when two or more coherent sources producing waves of the same frequency and amplitude superimpose |
| coherent | of the same phase |
| crest | the highest point of that portion of a transverse wave above the equilibrium point |
| trough | the lowest point of that portion of a transverse wave below the equilibrium point |
| destructive interference | occurs when the amplitude of two interfering waves is smaller than the displacement of either wave |
| constructive interference | occurs when the amplitude of two interfering waves is larger than the displacement of either wave |
| diffraction | occurs when waves bend a spread out as they pass an obstacle or narrow opening |
| diffraction grating | a large number of closely spaced parallel slits which diffract light incident on the grating |
| thin film interference patterns | occur when light waves are reflected at both the top and bottom surfaces of the film |
| polarization | a property of light that indicates light is a transverse wave phenomenon |
| plane polarized | an electromagnetic wave in which the electric vector is vibrating in only one plane |
