1. Waves Flashcards
What do all waves transfer?
Energy
What are the names of the two types of wave?
Transverse and longitudinal.
What is the definition of a longitudinal wave?
In longitudinal waves the vibrations occur in the same direction (parallel) as the direction of the wave.
State two examples of longitudinal waves.
Sound and seismic waves are longitudinal.
What is the definition of a transverse wave?
In transverse waves the particles vibrate at right angles (perpendicular) to the direction of the wave.
What are some examples of transverse waves?
Water waves
Light waves
All other members of the EM spectrum (radio waves, microwavesz, x-rays etc).
What is the definition of wavelength?
The wavelength is the distance between two identical points of a wave
e.g. crest to crest, or trough to trough
What is the symbol for wavelength?
λ (lambda)
What is the unit for wavelength?
m (metres)
What is the definition of the amplitude of a wave?
The amplitude is HALF of the TOTAL height of the wave.
i.e. from the middle up to a crest or from the middle down to a trough.
What is the definition of the frequency of a wave?
The frequency of the wave is the number of waves that pass a point in 1 second.
What is the symbol for frequency?
f
What is the unit for frequency?
Hz (Hertz)
What is the definition of the period of a wave?
The period is the length of time it takes for one wave to pass a point.
What is the symbol for period?
T
What is the unit for period?
s (seconds)
What is the symbol for distance?
d
What is the unit for distance?
m (metres)
What is the symbol for time?
t
What is the unit for time?
s (seconds)
What is the symbol for speed?
v
What is the unit for speed?
ms-1
What is diffraction?
Diffraction is the bending of waves.
Which diffracts more… longer or shorter wavelengths?
Long wavelengths (like radio waves) diffract more than short wavelengths.
Which diffracts more… low or high frequency waves?
Low frequency waves (like radiowaves) diffract more than high frequency waves.
If the wavelength of the wave is constant… how does diffraction change for different sizes of gap?
Diffraction increases as the width of the gap decreases.
If the size of the gap is constant… how does diffraction change for different wavelengths of wave?
Diffraction increases as the wavelength increases.
How do you get optimium diffraction through a gap?
How do you lay out your work in order to achieve the full 3 marks for a calculation?
- State equation exactly as it is written on the sheet.
- Sub in relevant numbers and do any rearranging.
- Write final answer WITH CORRECT UNIT.
If a wave reflects off of a surface, what is the total distance it travels?
DOUBLE the distance to the object.
