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OCR GATEWAY A GCSE PHYSICs > 5.1 WAVE BEHAVIOUR > Flashcards

5.1 WAVE BEHAVIOUR Flashcards

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1
Q

Q: What is amplitude in wave motion?

A

A: Amplitude is the distance from the undisturbed position to the peak or trough of a wave. It is represented by the symbol A and measured in metres (m).

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2
Q

Q: How is wavelength defined in wave motion?

A

A: Wavelength is the distance from one point on the wave to the same point on the next wave. It is represented by the symbol λ (lambda) and measured in metres (m).

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3
Q

Q: How do you measure wavelength in a transverse wave?

A

A: In a transverse wave, the wavelength can be measured from one peak to the next peak.

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4
Q

Q: How do you measure wavelength in a longitudinal wave?

A

A: In a longitudinal wave, the wavelength can be measured from the center of one compression to the center of the next

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5
Q

Q: What is the significance of amplitude in a wave?

A

A: Amplitude represents the maximum or minimum displacement from the wave’s undisturbed position.

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6
Q

Q: What is frequency in wave motion?
Q

A

A: Frequency is the number of waves passing a point in a second. It is represented by the symbol f and measured in Hertz (Hz).

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7
Q

Q: What is the time period of a wave?

A

A: The time period of a wave is the time taken for a single wave to pass a point or one full cycle of a wave. It is represented by the symbol T and measured in seconds (s).

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8
Q

Q: How is the time period represented graphically?

A

A: On a graph, the time period can be seen as the time taken for a complete wavelength, especially if the horizontal axis is time.

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9
Q

frequency equation

A

f = 1/ t

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10
Q

Q: How is wave speed defined?

A

A: Wave speed is defined as the distance traveled by a wave each second. It is represented by the symbol ν and measured in meters per second (m/s).

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11
Q

What does wave speed indicate in a wave?

A

A: Wave speed is the speed at which energy is transferred through a medium.

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12
Q

Q: What is the wave equation that relates wave speed, frequency, and wavelength?

A

A: The wave equation is given by: v = f × λ

v: Wave speed in meters per second (m/s)
f: Frequency in Hertz (Hz)
λ: Wavelength in meters (m)

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13
Q

Q: What is a wave, and how does it transfer energy?

A

A: Waves are repeated vibrations that transfer energy. Energy is transferred by parts of the wave knocking nearby parts, similar to people knocking into one another in a crowd or a “Mexican Wave” at football matches.

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14
Q

Q: How are waves classified, and what are the two main types?

A

A: Waves can exist as either transverse or longitudinal.

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15
Q

Q: What characterizes transverse waves?

A

A: Transverse waves are defined by points along their length vibrating at 90 degrees to the direction of energy transfer. Energy transfer is perpendicular to wave motion, and they can move in solids, on liquid surfaces, and some (electromagnetic waves) can move in solids, liquids, gases, and a vacuum.

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16
Q

Q: Provide examples of transverse waves.

A

A: Examples include ripples on water, vibrations in a guitar string, S-waves (seismic waves), and electromagnetic waves (e.g., radio, light, X-rays).

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17
Q

Q: How are transverse waves represented in diagrams?

A

A: Transverse waves are represented by a continuous solid line, usually with a central line showing the undisturbed position. Peaks and troughs are depicted perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer.

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18
Q

Q: What defines longitudinal waves?

A

A: Longitudinal waves are characterised by points along their length vibrating parallel to the direction of energy transfer. Energy transfer is in the same direction as wave motion, and they can move in solids, liquids, and gases.

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19
Q

Q: Provide examples of longitudinal waves.

A

A: Examples include sound waves, P-waves (seismic waves), and pressure waves caused by repeated movements in a liquid or gas

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20
Q

How are longitudinal waves represented in diagrams?

A

A: Longitudinal waves are usually drawn as sets of lines, indicating movement parallel to the direction of energy transfer. Closely spaced lines represent compressions, while lines further apart represent rarefactions.

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21
Q

Q: How do transverse and longitudinal waves compare in terms of vibrations?

A

A: Transverse wave vibrations are shown on ropes, and longitudinal wave vibrations can be demonstrated on springs. Both types of vibrations are crucial in understanding wave behavior.

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22
Q

Transverse vs Longitudinal Waves : Structure

A

Transverse waves : peaks and troughs
Longitudinal : compressions and rarefactions

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23
Q

Transverse vs Longitudinal Waves : vibration

A

Transverse : 90 degrees to the direction of energy transfer
Longitudinal : parallel to direction of energy transfer

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24
Q

Transverse vs Longitudinal Waves : Vacuum

A

Transverse: Only electromagnetic waves can travel in vacuum
Longitudinal : cannot travel in a vacuum

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25
Q

Transverse vs Longitudinal Waves : Material

A

Transverse : Can move in liquids and solids, but not gases
Longitudinal : Can move in gas, liquids and solids

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26
Q

Transverse vs Longitudinal Waves : Density

A

transverse : constant density
longitudinal : changes in density

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27
Q

Transverse vs Longitudinal Waves : Pressure

A

transverse : pressure is constant
longitudinal : changes in pressure

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28
Q

Transverse vs Longitudinal Waves : speed of wave

A

transverse : dependant on material it is travelling in
longitudinal : dependant on material it is travelling in

29
Q

What type of waves are sound waves in the air?

A

A: Sound waves in air are longitudinal waves

30
Q

Q: How can the speed of sound be measured?

A

A: There are three methods:

Measuring Sound Between Two Points
Procedure: Two people, distance measured, one person bangs blocks, the other times the sound.
Equation: Speed of sound = Distance / Time

Using Echoes
Procedure: Person claps blocks, listens for echoes, times 20 claps. Distance measured.
Equation: Speed of sound = Total distance / Total time

Using an Oscilloscope
Procedure: Two microphones connected, clap made, time difference on oscilloscope measured.
Equation: Speed of sound = Distance / Time difference

31
Q

Q: How is the speed of water waves measured using ripples on a water surface?

A

A:

Procedure: Two people a few meters apart, one creates ripples, the other times how long it takes for the first ripple to reach them.
Equation: Wave speed = Distance / Time

32
Q

Q: What does evidence for energy transfer in waves show?

A

A: Objects floating on water (debris) demonstrate that waves transfer energy, not matter. Waves cause oscillations or vibrations without transferring the medium itself.

33
Q

Q: What type of waves are sound waves, and how do they transfer energy?

A

A: Sound waves are longitudinal waves that transfer energy by causing molecules to vibrate and collide with neighboring molecules.

34
Q

Q: In which medium do sound waves travel fastest, and in which do they travel slowest?

A

A: Sound waves travel fastest in solids and slowest in gases. The presence of more molecules allows for faster energy transfer.

35
Q

Q: What changes occur when sound waves move from one medium to another?

A

A: When sound waves move between media, changes occur in wave speed, frequency, and wavelength. These changes are determined by the wave equation.

36
Q

What is refraction, and how does it affect sound waves?

A

A: Refraction is the change in direction of sound waves when moving from one density medium to another. It involves changes in wavelength, frequency, and velocity.

37
Q

Q: Describe the changes in sound waves when moving from a denser to a less dense medium.

A

A: Moving from denser to less dense medium:

Wavelength decreases
Frequency stays the same
Velocity decreases

38
Q

Q: Describe the changes in sound waves when moving from a less dense to a denser medium.

A

A: Moving from less dense to denser medium:

Wavelength increases
Frequency stays the same
Velocity increases

39
Q

How does temperature affect the speed of sound in air?

A

A: Temperature affects the speed of sound in air. On warm days, faster-moving air molecules carry sound waves faster, increasing the speed. On cold days, slower-moving air molecules carry sound waves at a slower pace, decreasing the speed.

40
Q

Explain why sound travels further at night compared to during the day.

A

A: During the day, warmer air near the ground and cooler air in the atmosphere cause sound waves to refract upwards. At night, cooler air near the ground and warmer air in the atmosphere cause sound waves to refract downwards. The change in density contributes to an increase in speed, allowing sound to travel further at night.

41
Q

Q: What equipment is used for measuring wave properties in the experiment?

A

A: The equipment includes a ripple tank, metre ruler (with 1 mm resolution), stopwatch (with 0.01 s resolution), and a power supply with a light source.

42
Q

Q: What are the aims of the experiment?

A

A: The aims are to measure frequency, wavelength, and wave speed by observing water waves in a ripple tank.

43
Q

Q: What variables are involved in the experiment?

A

A:

Independent variable: Frequency (f)
Dependent variable: Wavelength (λ)
Control variables: Same depth of water, same temperature of water.

44
Q

Q: Describe the method for measuring wave properties in the ripple tank.

A

A:

Fill the ripple tank with water (up to 1 cm depth).

Turn on the power supply and light source to create a wave pattern on the screen.

Measure the wavelength by using a ruler to measure the length of the screen and dividing by the number of wavefronts.

Determine frequency by timing how long it takes for a given number of waves to pass a point and dividing the number of wavefronts by the time.

Record the frequency and wavelength in a table and repeat measurements.

45
Q

Q: How is the speed of waves determined in the experiment?

A

A: The speed of waves is determined using the equation: Wave Speed = Frequency × Wavelength (v = fλ).

46
Q

What systematic errors might occur in the experiment, and how can they be addressed?

A

A: Systematic errors may include difficulty identifying moving wavefronts. To address this, a stroboscope with a flashing light, matching the wave frequency, can be used to make the waves appear stationary

47
Q

Q: How can random errors be minimized in measuring wavelength and frequency in the ripple tank?

A

A:

For wavelength: Measure across multiple waves (e.g., 5) and divide the distance by the number of waves.

For frequency: Measure across a longer time period (e.g., a minute) and divide the number of waves by the time.

48
Q

What safety considerations should be taken into account during the experiment?

A

A:

Care should be taken when working with water and electricity in close proximity to avoid electric shock.

Stand up during the experiment to react quickly to spills
.
No food or drink should be consumed near the experiment.

If using strobe lighting, ensure that no one in the room has photosensitive epilepsy.

49
Q

Q: What are the possible outcomes when a wave encounters a boundary between two media?

Q

A

A: Depending on the densities of the materials on either side of a boundary, a wave may be reflected, transmitted, or absorbed.

50
Q

Q: When does reflection occur, and what does the law of reflection state?

A

A: Reflection occurs when a wave hits a boundary and stays in the original medium. The law of reflection states that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.

51
Q

Q: What influences the reflectivity of surfaces, and how does reflection apply to different surfaces?

A

A:

Flat surfaces are more reflective.

Smoother surfaces result in stronger reflected waves.

Rough surfaces scatter light in all directions and are less reflective.

Opaque surfaces reflect light not absorbed by the material, with electrons absorbing and reemitting the light.

52
Q

Q: Describe transmission and its relationship with transparency.

A

A: Transmission occurs when a wave passes through a substance. For light waves, more transparent materials allow more light to pass through. Transmission may involve refraction, but the wave must pass through the material and emerge from the other side for it to be considered transmission.

53
Q

Q: How does absorption occur, and what substances absorb sound waves and light waves?

A

A: Absorption occurs when energy is transferred from the wave into the particles of a substance.

Sound waves are absorbed by materials like brick or concrete in houses.
Light is absorbed if its frequency matches the energy levels of electrons. Absorbed light is reemitted over time as heat.

54
Q

Q: What does the appearance of a red object indicate about the light it interacts with?

A

A: If an object appears red, it means only red light has been reflected, while all other frequencies of visible light have been absorbed.

55
Q

Q: What is the aim of this experiment?

A

A: The aim is to investigate specular reflection off a smooth surface.

56
Q

Q: What are the independent and dependent variables?

A

A:

Independent variable: Angle of incidence (i)
Dependent variable: Angle of reflection (r)

57
Q

Q: Describe the method for setting up and conducting the reflection experiment.

A

A:

Set up the apparatus with a mirror, paper, ruler, and a ray box.

Draw a 10 cm line on the paper and bisect it with a 90° line using a protractor.

Place the mirror on the 90° line and direct a light beam at an angle towards the mirror.

Mark two positions of the light beam - just after leaving the ray box and 10 cm away from the mirror on the reflected beam.

Remove the ray box, join the marked positions with a ruler, and measure the angles using a protractor.

Repeat the experiment with the light beam aimed at different angles.

58
Q

Q: What does the law of reflection state, and how is it confirmed in the experiment?

A

A: The law of reflection states that the angle of incidence (i) is equal to the angle of reflection (r). If the experiment is carried out correctly, the measured angles should be the same.

59
Q

Q: What is the aim of this experiment?

A

A: The aim is to investigate the refraction of light by a perspex block.

60
Q

Q: What are the independent and dependent variables of the experiment of refraction of light by a perspex block?

A

A:

Independent variable: Angle of incidence (i)
Dependent variable: Angle of refraction (r)

61
Q

Describe the method for setting up and conducting the refraction experiment.

A

A:

Place a glass or perspex block on a sheet of paper, drawing around the block.

Direct a light beam at the side face of the block and mark points on the paper.

Draw a dashed line normal to the outline of the block.

Remove the block, join the marked points, and repeat for different incident angles.

Measure angles of incidence (i) and refraction (r) using a protractor.

62
Q

Q: How are systematic and random errors addressed in the experiments?

Refraction of Light By A Perspex Block

A

A:

For systematic errors, a set square is used to draw perpendicular lines, and a undistorted mirror is ensured.
For random errors, a sharpened pencil is used for accurate markings, and a protractor with higher resolution is used.

63
Q

Q: What safety considerations should be taken into account during the experiments?

A

A:

The ray box light can cause burns, so avoid touching it.

Looking directly into the light may damage the eyes, so avoid direct eye contact.

Stand behind the ray box during the experiment to avoid eye exposure.

Keep liquids away from electrical equipment and paper.

Handle the mirror carefully to prevent damages affecting the experiment.

64
Q

Q: How do sound waves interact with solids?

A

A: When sound waves encounter a solid, their vibrations can be transferred to the solid. For instance, sound waves can cause objects like a drinking glass to vibrate. Excessive vibration can lead to the breakage of the object.

65
Q

What type of wave is sound, and what are its components?

A

A: Sound is a longitudinal wave consisting of compressions (regions of higher density) and rarefactions (regions of lower density). Compressions and rarefactions cause changes in pressure, creating a pressure wave

66
Q

Q: How does the interaction between sound waves and solids occur?

A

A: When sound waves hit a solid, the fluctuations in pressure cause the surface of the solid to vibrate in synchronization with the sound wave. This process involves the conversion of wave disturbances between sound waves and vibrations in solids or liquids.

67
Q

Q: How do sound waves reach the human ear, and what components are involved?

A

A: Sound waves are heard by humans when they are transferred from the air to the solid components of the ear. Two main solid components involved are the eardrum (made of tissue and skin) and three small bones. The sound wave travels down the auditory canal, causing the eardrum to vibrate.

68
Q

Describe the process of sound transmission in the human ear.

A

A:

Sound wave travels towards the eardrum.

Pressure variations exert a varying force on the eardrum, causing it to vibrate.

Vibration pattern is transferred to the three small bones.

Small bones’ vibrations transfer to the inner ear.

Nerve cells in the inner ear detect the vibrations and send a message to the brain.

The cochlea, containing nerve endings, plays a crucial role in the interpretation of sound in the brain.

69
Q

Q: What is the range of frequencies that the human ear can hear?

A

A: The human ear can hear frequencies in the range of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. However, the ability to hear high frequencies diminishes with age due to changes in the structure of the inner ear and auditory nerves. Cochlear hairs, varying in length, respond to different frequencies, and as a person ages, the ability to hear higher frequencies declines.

OCR GATEWAY A GCSE PHYSICs (8 decks)

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