Wave mechanics

frequency change of a wave for observer relative to its source

partial differential equation describing how the quantum state of a non-relativistic physical system changes with time

phenomenon in which two coherent waves combine into a resultant wave with greater intensity or lower amplitude

The amplitude of a periodic variable is a measure of its change in a single period (such as time or spatial period). The amplitude of a non-periodic signal is its magnitude compared with a reference value. There are various definitions of amplitude (see below), which are all functions of the magnitude of the differences between the variable's extreme values. In older texts, the phase of a periodic function is sometimes called the amplitude.

wave that remains in a constant position

mathematical curve that describes a smooth repetitive oscillation; continuous wave

second-order linear differential equation important in physics

method of analysis

moving wave that consists of oscillations occurring perpendicular (right angled) to the direction of energy transfer (or the propagation of the wave)

waves in which the displacement of the medium is in the same direction as, or the opposite direction to, the direction of propagation of the wave

position of a point in time (an instant) on a waveform cycle

ideal property of waves that enables stationary (i.e. temporally and spatially constant) interference

thumb|Diagram illustrating the relationship between the wavenumber and the other properties of harmonic waves.

experiment in quantum mechanics that shows wave–particle duality

water wave traveling upstream a river or narrow bay due to incoming tide

thumb|250px|Solitary wave (water waves)|Solitary wave in a laboratory [[wave channel]]

structure used to propagate electromagnetic waves

rate at which the phase of the wave propagates in space

physical quantity

vector pointing in the direction of a wave and whose magnitude is equal to the wavenumber

type of wave propagating in 3 dimensions

short "burst" or "envelope" of restricted wave action that travels as a unit

measure of impedance matching of loads to the characteristic impedance of a transmission line or waveguide

phenomenon occuring when liquid at high velocity discharges into a zone of lower velocity

relation of wavelength/wavenumber as a function of a wave's frequency

longitudinal wave that propagates by means of adiabatic compression and decompression;travels with the speed of sound which depends on the medium they're passing through

point of zero amplitude of one harmonic constituent of the tide

difference between phase angles

installment of one or several wave power devices in one place

electromagnetic wave with oscillations perpendicular to the direction of travel

1859 wave interference experiment

elastic waves propagating in solid plates or spheres

effect of filters or amplifiers on signals' phases as function of frequency

thumb|right|Incoming wave (red) reflected at the wall produces the outgoing wave (blue), both being overlaid resulting in the clapotis (black).

water waves of different wavelengths travel at different phase speeds

nonlinear standing waves that appear on liquids enclosed by a vibrating receptacle

phenomenon of wave mechanics

term

coherent optical nonlinearity which renders a medium transparent within a narrow spectral range around an absorption line

field of radiation (e.g. electromagnetic wave) whose amplitude is described by a product of the Airy function of the first kind and an exponent

linearised description of the propagation of gravity waves on the surface of a homogeneous fluid layer

thumb|Sidewinding in a newborn sidewinder rattlesnake. Yellow regions are lifted above the sand and in motion at the time of the photo, while green regions are in static contact with the sand. Blue denotes tracks. Scale imprints are visible in the tracks, showing that the snake's body is static during ground contact. thumb|right|Tracks of a sidewinder in the sand

maximum depth at which a water wave's passage causes significant water motion

Aircraft aerodynamic drag at transonic and supersonic speeds due to the presence of shock waves

theorem

Quasiperiodicity is the property of a system that displays irregular periodicity. Periodic behavior is defined as recurring at regular intervals, such as "every 24 hours". Quasiperiodic behavior is almost but not quite periodic. The term used to denote oscillations that appear to follow a regular pattern but which do not have a fixed period. The term thus used does not have a precise definition and should not be confused with more strictly defined mathematical concepts such as an almost periodic function or a quasiperiodic function.

parameter-free superresolution algorithm for the linear inverse problem in spectral estimation, direction-of-arrival estimation and tomographic reconstruction with applications in signal processing, medical imaging and remote sensing

field pattern of the propagating waves of electromagnetic radiation