2.1 Waves

Question 1

2 types of waves

Answer 1

Longitudinal
Transverse

Question 2

Longitudinal wave

Answer 2

Vibration of the particles/medium is parallel to the direction of energy flow
E.g. sound

Question 3

Transverse wave

Answer 3

Vibration of the particles/medium is perpendicular to the direction of energy flow
E.g. water waves

Question 4

Travelling/progressive wave

Answer 4

Wave which transfers energy away from the source in the medium without transferring the medium itself

Question 5

Frequency

Answer 5

Number of vibrations/oscillations per second
Hz

Question 6

Wavelength

Answer 6

Distance between 2 successive points on a wave that are in phase
Unit: m

Question 7

Period

Answer 7

Time for one complete oscillation
Unit: s

Question 8

Amplitude

Answer 8

Maximum displacement of a particle from its rest position
Unit: m

Question 9

In phase

Answer 9

When peaks line up with peaks and troughs line up with troughs

Question 10

What is the term used when peaks line up with phase?

Answer 10

Waves are completely out of phase

Question 11

Phase difference of 2 waves

Answer 11

Distance between peak of one wave and the peak of another wave

Question 12

Formula to work out phase difference

Answer 12

Difference/1 cycle

Question 13

Polarisation

Answer 13

Name given to process of confining a transverse wave to vibrations that are in one plane

Question 14

Unpolarised light

Answer 14

Vibrations in all possible directions perpendicular to the direction of transfer of energy

Question 15

Polarised light

Answer 15

Light which has oscillations in one plane only

Question 16

Why can longitudinal waves not be polarised?

Answer 16

No plane of vibration so they can’t be polarised

Question 17

Properties of all electromagnetic waves

Answer 17

Can travel in a vacuum
Travel at the same speed in a vacuum - speed of light
Transverse waves
Can be refracted, reflected, polarised and detracted

Question 18

Defracted

Answer 18

Ability to bend around a corner

Question 19

Typical frequency of gamma rays

Answer 19

> 3x10 19

Question 20

Typical frequency of x-rays

Answer 20

3x10 16 - 3x10 19

Question 21

Typical frequency of ultra violet

Answer 21

7.5x10 14 - 3x10 16

Question 22

Typical frequency for visible light

Answer 22

4x10 14 - 7.5x10 14

Question 23

Typical frequency for infra-red radiation

Answer 23

3x10 11 - 4x10 14

Question 24

Typical frequency for microwaves

Answer 24

3x10 9 - 3x10 11

Question 25

Typical frequency for radio waves

Answer 25

<3x10 9

Question 26

Order of waves in electromagnetic spectrum from low frequency, long wavelength to high frequency, short wavelength

Answer 26

radio waves
microwaves
infra-red
visible light
ultra-violet
x-rays
gamma rays

Question 27

Order of waves in electromagnetic spectrum from high frequency, short wavelength to low frequency, long wavelength

Answer 27

gamma rays
x-rays
ultra-violet
visible light
infra-red
microwaves
radio waves

Question 28

Typical wavelength of gamma rays

Answer 28

> 1x10 -11

Question 29

Typical wavelength of x-rays

Answer 29

1x10 -8 - 1x10 -11

Question 30

Typical wavelength of ultra violet

Answer 30

4x10 -7 - 1x10 -8

Question 31

Typical wavelength of visible light

Answer 31

7.7x10 -7 - 4x10 -7

Question 32

Typical wavelength of infrared radiation

Answer 32

1x10 -3 - 7.5x10 -7

Question 33

Typical wavelength of microwaves

Answer 33

0.1 - 1x10 -3

Question 34

Typical wavelength of radiowaves

Answer 34

<0.1

Question 35

In nanometres, what is the typical wavelength of visible light?

Answer 35

400-700 nm

Question 36

What is the wavelength of red light in nanometres?

Answer 36

700

Question 37

What is the wavelength of violet light in nanometres?

Answer 37

400