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IGCSE Physics > 4 Properties of Waves > Flashcards

4 Properties of Waves Flashcards

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1
Q

Waves transfer ______ without transferring ______

A

energy, matter

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2
Q

Describe wave motion

A

Illustrated by vibration in ropes and springs, and experiments using water waves

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3
Q

Understand the term wavefront

A

wavefronts are imaginary surfaces through crests, perpendicular to the direction of energy propagation of the wave

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4
Q

Understand the term ray

A

The ray is a mathematical line perpendicular to the wavefront, giving the direction of energy transfer of the wave

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5
Q

State the meaning of the speed of a wave

A

how fast the wave is traveling

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6
Q

State the meaning of the frequency of a wave

A

the number of peaks or troughs that pass a certain point each second, or the number of cycles completed in a second

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7
Q

State the meaning of the wavelength of a wave

A

the distance between two consecutive compressions or rarefactions
the distance between two successive crests or troughs

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8
Q

State the meaning of the amplitude of a wave

A

the difference between a crest or a trough and the equilibrium

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9
Q

State the meaning of a node in a wave

A

where the wave crosses the equilibrium

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10
Q

State the meaning of the equilibrium of a wave

A

the midline of the wave, the medium of the wave’s resting position

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11
Q

State the meaning of the crest of a wave

A

the highest point on a wave

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12
Q

State the meaning of the trough of a wave

A

the lowest point on a wave

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12
Q

State the meaning of the trough of a wave

A

the lowest point on a wave

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13
Q

Define a wave

A

an oscillation or vibration accompanied by a transfer of energy that travels through space or mass

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14
Q

Define a medium

A

an intervening substance through which a wave can transfer its energy

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15
Q

Transverse wave

A

a wave vibrating perpendicular to the direction of travel in a sine curve shape

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16
Q

Longitudinal wave

A

a wave vibrating in the same direction it is traveling

17
Q

State the meaning of a compression of a wave

A

a region in a longitudinal wave where the particles are closest together

18
Q

State the meaning of a rarefaction of a wave

A

a region in a longitudinal wave where the particles are furthest apart

19
Q

Examples of transverse waves

A

light, water

20
Q

Example of longitudinal waves

A

sound

20
Q

Example of longitudinal waves

A

sound

21
Q

Characteristics of electromagnetic and mechanical waves

A

electromagnetic - oscillating electric/magnetic fields
mechanical - oscillating particles

22
Q

Units for frequency of a wave

A

Hertz (Hz)
1Hz = 1/s

23
Q

Equation relating wavelength, frequency and speed of a wave

A

v = fλ
speed of wave = frequency x wavelength
m/s = Hz x m

24
Q

The denser the medium, the ______ the mechanical wave travels and the ______ the electromagnetic wave travels

A

faster, slower

25
Q

Pitch

A

High: waves close together / high frequency
Low: waves further apart / lower frequency

25
Q

Pitch

A

High: waves close together / high frequency
Low: waves further apart / lower frequency

26
Q

Loud sounds =
Quiet sounds =

A

high amplitude
low amplitude

27
Q

Humans can detect frequencies between …

A

20Hz and 20,000Hz

28
Q

Diffraction

A

when waves travel through a narrow gap of width approximately equal to their wavelength, the waves diffract - diffracting waves widen after travelling through the gap

29
Q

Echo formula

A

speed = distance / time
where distance = x2

30
Q

No sound in vacuum because …

A

No particles to transfer the energy

31
Q

An electromagnetic field is the ___________ of an ___________ electric field

A

propagation, oscillating

32
Q

Electromagnetic waves are all __________ waves

A

transverse

33
Q

Electromagnetic spectrum order

A

radio waves, microwaves, infra-red, visible light, ultraviolet, x-rays, gamma rays

34
Q

Electromagnetic spectrum order: does frequency increase or decrease along it?

A

increases

35
Q

Electromagnetic spectrum order: does wavelength increase or decrease along it?

A

decreases

36
Q

For light, wavelength and frequency are …

A

inversely related

37
Q

Properties of reflected images (6)

A

right way up, same size, same colour, virtual, same distance, laterally centred

38
Q

Formula for refractive index

A

n = sin(i) / sin(r)

39
Q

Speed of electromagnetic waves in a vacuum

A

3 x 10⁸ m/s

IGCSE Physics (9 decks)

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