1.5 Waves for Communication and Evidence that the Univers is Expanding Flashcards
Which letter represents the wavelength?
a
Which letter represents the amplitude?
b
What type of wave is this?
Transverse
What type of wave is this?
Longitudinal
What type of waves are the electromagnetic waves?
Transverse
What type of waves are sound waves?
Longitudinal
Which electromagnetic wave is fastest in a vacuum?
They are all the same speed
What happens to a wave when it hits an uneven surface?
It reflects at random angles
What happens to a wave when it hits an even surface?
It reflects at the same angle
What is the law of reflection?
Angle of incidence = Angle of reflection
What is refraction?
When a wave crosses a boundary between 2 media and it changes direction because it changes speed
Why do waves refract?
Because the different media have different densities causing the wave to slow down or speed up. This changes the direction
What is diffraction?
Waves spreading out when they pass through a gap or pass an obstacle
What determines the amount of diffraction?
The size of the gap relative to the wavelength of the wave. The narrower the gap/longer the wavelength, the greater diffraction
When does maximun diffraction occur?
When the size of the gap is equal to the size of the wavelength