diff --git a/docs/sph3u7.md b/docs/sph3u7.md index 6e6e523..ae2d1c4 100644 --- a/docs/sph3u7.md +++ b/docs/sph3u7.md @@ -550,7 +550,7 @@ Note that that is also equal to $\Delta \vec{P}$ above. - The **amplitude** ($A$) of an oscillation is the greatest displacement from its equilibrium ($\Delta x$). - An object at an **equilibrium position** is at rest. -### Simple hormonic motion +### Simple harmonic motion In **simple harmonic motion** (SHM), an object oscillates in a fixed time interval around a central **equilibrium point** with a **linear restoring force** directed toward that equilibrium point. $$\vec{F} \propto -\Delta \vec{x}$$ @@ -636,6 +636,33 @@ The **superposition principle** states that the displacement of a particle of mo When waves of the same frequency meet, if their crests or troughs overlap, a **supercrest** or **supertrough** is formed, respectively. Waves that result in a net displacement of particles of zero form a **node**. +### Polarisation + +**Unpolarised** waves are those that oscillate in every direction **perpendicular** to the direction of energy propagation, while those that are polarised only do so in one plane. Only **transverse** waves can be polarised. + +(Source: Kognity) + +Waves are polarised by a **polariser**: a material that only allows charged particles to oscillate in one plane. When unpolarised light passes through a polariser, only one plane can progagate fully. The other directions of oscillation have their amplitudes reduced. **Linearly polarised** electromagnetic waves have a single plane of polarisation. + +A **polarising filter** can be used to polarise light, and an **analyser** is a second polariser used to determine if light is polarised. + +(Source: Kognity) + +The energy of a wave is proportional to its intensity which is proportional to the square of the amplitude. +$$E\propto I\propto A^2$$ + +**Malus's law** states that for a polarised wave of energy $E_0$, the amplitude from the second filter, where $\theta$ is the angle between the polariser and the analyser, such that: +$$E=E_0\cos\theta$$ + +And so: +$$I=I_0\cos\theta$$ + +When **unpolarised light** passes through a polariser, the average result of $I\cos\theta$ is $\frac{1}{2}$, so the intensity of polarised light is **half** of the intensity of unpolarised light. + +When unpolarised light reflects off of a **smooth non-metallic** surface it will be at least partially polarised. + +(Source: Kognity) + ## 4.4 - Wave behaviour ### Reflection