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A-level AQA Physics > 07 Mechanical Waves > Flashcards

07 Mechanical Waves Flashcards

1
Q

What is a progressive wave?

A

Transfers energy from one place to another without transferring matter.

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2
Q

What is the definition of wave speed?

A

The distance travelled by a wave front per unit time.

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3
Q

If uncertainties are to be added or subtracted, what should you do?

A

Add the uncertainties

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4
Q

If uncertainties are to be multiplied or divided, what should you do?

A

Add the percentage uncertainties

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5
Q

If an uncertainty is to raised to a power, what should you do?

A

Multiply the percentage uncertainty by that power.

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6
Q

What must you do in order to produce a continuous wave on a slinky?

A

One end of the slinky must be continuously moved from side to side.

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7
Q

What happens in one cycle of vibration?

A

One point in the medium oscillates from it’s equallibrium position to one extreme to the other extreme and back to the equilibrium position.

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8
Q

What is a transverse wave?

A

A wave where the oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of propagation.

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9
Q

What is the direction of propagation also known as?

A

The direction of energy transfer.

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10
Q

Where is the peak of a transverse wave?

A

The highest point

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11
Q

What is the peak of a wave also known as?

A

The creast

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12
Q

Where is the trough on a transverse wave?

A

The lowest point on a wave

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13
Q

What is a longitudinal wave?

A

A wave where the oscillations are parallel to the direction of the propagation.

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14
Q

Where is the compression on a longitudinal wave?

A

A region where the turns are close together.

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15
Q

Where is the rarefaction on a longitudinal wave?

A

A region where the turns are far apart than position.

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16
Q

What type of wave is a microwave?

A

Transverse

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17
Q

What type of wave is a sound wave?

A

Longitudinal

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18
Q

What type of wave is a red light?

A

Transverse

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19
Q

What type of wave is a P wave?

A

Longitudinal

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20
Q

What type of wave is a radio wave?

A

Transverse

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21
Q

What type of wave is a gamma wave?

A

Transverse

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22
Q

What type of wave is an infra red wave?

A

Transverse

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23
Q

What type of wave is an x-ray?

A

Transverse

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24
Q

What type of wave is an S wave?

A

Transverse

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25
Q

Which waves are caused by an earthquake?

A

•P waves
•S waves

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26
Q

What is the symbol for displacement in waves?

A

x

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27
Q

What is the displacement (x) of a point in the medium?

A

It’s distance and direction from it’s equilibrium position

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28
Q

What is a frequency of a vibration?

A

The number of cycles of vibration in 1 second.

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29
Q

What is frequency measured in?

A

Hertz (Hz)

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30
Q

In waves, what is the symbol for the time period?

A

T

31
Q

What is the time period (T) of a wave?

A

The time for 1 cycle of vibration

32
Q

What does a mechanical wave require?

A

A substance to travel through

33
Q

What is the material that carries a mechanical wave called?

A

The medium

34
Q

What does an ‘in phase’ describe?

A

2 points in the medium that are moving in the same direction and change direction at the same instant.

35
Q

What is a wavelength (λ)?

A

The distance between 2 consecutive points that are in phase.

36
Q

What is the amplitude of a wave?

A

The maximum displacement of a vibrating point in the medium from the mean position.

37
Q

What is the mean position of a wave?

A

The rest position

38
Q

What is the phase difference of a wave?

A

The amount by which one vibration lags behind another

39
Q

What is phase difference measured in?

A

Degrees (°)

40
Q

If one point on a wave lags another by 1/2 cycle of vibration, what is the phase difference?

A

180 ° (or π) (or antiphase) fractions allowed

41
Q

If one point on a wave lags another by 1/4 cycle of vibration, then what is the phase difference?

A

90° (or ½π)

42
Q

What is the symbol for wave speed?

A

c

43
Q

What is diffraction? (Waves)

A

The bending of waves as they pass through a gap or pass by an obstacle.

44
Q

When does maximum diffraction (waves) happen?

A

When the gap is a similar size to the wavelength.

45
Q

What is superposition in waves?

A
46
Q

What is constructive interference in waves?

A

It causes a large amplitude and occurs when waves arrive at a point in phase.

47
Q

What is disruptive interference in waves?

A

Produces zero amplitude and occurs at a point when two waves arrive 180° out of phase.

48
Q

What is a coherent sources of waves?

A

Sources which have the same frequency and have constant phase angle.

49
Q

Do coherent waves produce an interference pattern?

A

Yes

50
Q

Do non coherent waves produce an interference pattern?

A

No

51
Q

When a crest superposes with a crest what is produced? What is it called?

A

A larger crest. Constructive interference

52
Q

When a trough superposes with a trough, what is produced? What is it called?

A

A larger trough. Constructive interference

53
Q

When a crest superposes with a trough what do they do? What is it called?

A

They cancel each other out. Destructive interference.

54
Q

What is this?

A

A wave pattern produced by two dippers.

55
Q

What is this wave pattern described as?

A

A series of interference fringes.

56
Q

When two waves undergo superposition, what is the total displacement the sum of?

A

The displacements due to the individual waves.

57
Q

What is the path difference in waves?

A

The extra distance travelled by the wave from one source compared with the wave from the other source.

58
Q

In which terms should path difference be written in?

A

In terms of wavelength.

59
Q

If the path difference is nλ what type of interference is it?

A

Constructive interference

60
Q

If the path difference is (n+1/2)λ what type of interference is it?

A

Destructive interference

61
Q

What is a node in stationary waves?

A

A point which always has zero amplitude (and zero energy). The superposition of the incident and reflected waves produces destructive interference.

62
Q

How much is a node to node separation?

A

1/2 λ

63
Q

What is an antinode on a stationary wave?

A

A point which has the maximum amplitude (and maximum energy). The superposition of the incident and reflected waves causes constructive interference.

64
Q

What is an easy way to remember a node (stationary wave)? Node=…

A

Node=no displacement

65
Q

What is an easy way to remember antinode (stationary wave)? Antinode=…

A

Antinode=maximum displacement

66
Q

What does the vibration of a string give an appearance of?

A

‘Loops’

67
Q

Why does the vibration of string give the appearance of ‘loops’?

A

Due to ‘the persistence of vision’.

68
Q

Within one ‘loop’ of the vibration of string, how does everything vibrate?

A

In phase

69
Q

Show this string ¼ later

A
70
Q

What are the conditions necessary to produce a stationary wave?

A
71
Q

What does µ stand for in melde’s equation?

A

Mass per unit length

72
Q

What must you be careful of in waves equations (T)?

A

Capital T stands for both Time and Tension.

73
Q

What is the phase difference between a neighbouring crest and trough?

A

π

A-level AQA Physics (8 decks)

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