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Physics AS2 > 2.1 Waves > Flashcards

2.1 Waves Flashcards

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1
Q

Define wave

A

the propagation of energy thru a medium or vacuum without any transfer of the medium itself

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2
Q

Define a progressive wave

A

A wave that transports energy by causing vibrations in the material or medium thru which it moves

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3
Q

Define a mechanical wave

A

Requires a substance (medium) thru which to travel

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4
Q

2 egs mechanical wave

A

Sound or water

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5
Q

Progressive waves are either —— or ———

A

Transverse or longitudinal

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6
Q

Define transverse wave

A

Waves in which the vibration of the medium is perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the wave

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7
Q

Define a longitudinal wave

A

The vibrations are parallel to the direction of propagation of the wave

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8
Q

Two egs of a longitudinal wave

A

Sound and ultrasound

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9
Q

Define periodic time T

A

The time taken for a wave to make one complete vibrational cycle (time taken to repeat itself)

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10
Q

Define amplitude

A

The maximum displacement of a particle of a medium from its equilibrium position

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11
Q

Define frequency

A

The number of complete waves to pass a fixed point per second

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12
Q

Define wavelength

A

The distance the wave form progresses in periodic time T

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13
Q

What is meant by “in phase”?

A

Corresponding points on each wave coincide in time

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14
Q

Define electromagnetic wave

A

A transverse wave which has both an electric and a magnetic oscillating component in planes perpendicular to each other

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15
Q

Define unpolarised light

A

A light wave which is vibrating in more than one plane

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16
Q

Define Polarized light

A

the vibrations of the wave are confined to a single plane

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17
Q

Define polarization

A

The process of transforming unpolarised light into polarized light

18
Q

What is a Polaroid filter?

A

Polaroid filters can polarize light because of the chemical composition of the filter material

19
Q

Wavelength of a gamma ray

A

Smaller than 10^-11

20
Q

Wavelength of X-rays

A

10^-10

21
Q

Wavelength of ultra violet light

A

10^-8

22
Q

Wavelength of visible light

A

(4-7)x10^-7

23
Q

Infra red wavelength

A

10^-4

24
Q

Microwaves wavelength

A

10^-2

25
Q

Radio waves wavelength

A

10^5 to 0.1

26
Q

What are radio waves generated by

A

Electronic circuits in which electrons are made to vibrate

27
Q

What are radio waves used for

A

Communications, from radio to TV

28
Q

How are microwaves generated?

A

Electronic circuits in which electrons are made to vibrate

29
Q

What are microwaves used for (3)

A
  • communications
  • cooking food
  • satellite television
30
Q

How is infrared generated

A

Emitted by all warm objects

31
Q

What is infrared used for? (3)

A
  • remote controls
  • cooking and heating
  • detecting intruders
32
Q

How is visible light generated?

A

Emitted by hot objects such as filament lamps, flames, the sun, etc.

33
Q

What is visible light used for (2)?

A
  • photography

- human vision

34
Q

How is ultra violet light generated?

A

By v hot objects such as the sun or gas discharge lamps

Involves exciting the electrons in atoms

35
Q

What are ultra violet rays used for? (3)

A
  • making Vit D
  • sun-tan lamps
  • detecting forged bank notes
36
Q

How are X-rays generated?

A

Produced when electrons are accelerated to high energy and allowed to strike a metal target

37
Q

What are X-rays used for? (2)

A

Detecting broken bones and hidden objects (eg. In. Luggage)

Treatment of some cancers

38
Q

What are gamma rays produced by?

A

Emitted by radioactive materials

39
Q

What are gamma rays used for? (2)

A
  • kill cancerous cells

- sterilizes medical supplies

40
Q

Sound waves cannot be polarized. Explain why not.

A

The oscillations can only be parallel to the velocity so are already confined to a single plane

41
Q

Describe how you would confirm that a beam of light is polarised

A

Pass it thru an analyser which is rotated 360 degrees from a reference position. If polarised, light would be extinguished twice during the 360 rotation

Physics AS2 (7 decks)

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