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AS Physics > G482 Difinitions > Flashcards

G482 Difinitions Flashcards

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AP® Physics flashcards Physics 101 flashcards
0
Q

Compressions

A

A region in a longitudinal wave (e.g sound wave) where te particles are closest together.

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1
Q

Amplitude of wave

A

Maximum displacement.

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2
Q

Displacement

A

The distance of an oscillating particle measured from the mean/equilibrium/undisturbed position (expressed as a vector).

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3
Q

Frequency

A

The number if complete wavelengths passing a point per unit time.

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4
Q

Intensity

A

Intensity is the (incident) energy per unit (cross-sectional) area per second.

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5
Q

Longitudinal wave

A

A wave where the oscillations/vibrations of the particles/medium are in the direction of travel of the wave. E.g. Sound

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6
Q

Mechanical wave

A

A wave which requires particles/a medium in order to be able to travel. E.g. Sound & water

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7
Q

Phase

A

This is the stage that a particle has reached with complete oscillation. ???????????

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8
Q

Progressive wave

A

A wave which transfers energy/shape/information from one place to another.

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9
Q

Rarefaction

A

A region in a longitudinal wave ( such as a sound wave) where the particles are furthest apart.

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10
Q

Reflection

A

When a wave hits a surface and bounces back.

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11
Q

Refraction

A

When a wave crosses an interface between two medium and so changes its speed. If the wave hits the interface at an angle (not 90 degrees), then it changes direction.

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12
Q

Speed of wave

A

Distance travelled by the wave per unit time.

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13
Q

Time (period), T

A

Time taken for one complete oscillation of a particle. T=1/f

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14
Q

Transverse wave

A

A wave where the oscillation/vibration of the particles/medium (in the plane) are at right angle to the direction of travel of the wave. E.g. Surface water waves or electromagnetic waves.

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15
Q

Wave

A

A periodic disturbance which carried energy as it travels. It is characterised by vibrations (oscillations) of the particles/medium (or fields for electromagnetic waves only).

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16
Q

Wavefront

A

A set of particles which are all in phase and the same direction from the source.

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17
Q

Wavelength

A

The distance between two neighbouring identical points which are at the same phase.

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18
Q

Continous spectrum

A

The electromagnetic spectrum where all wavelength/frequencies are present (in the radiation).

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19
Q

Dispersion

A

The splitting of light into its different wavelengths (to make a spectrum).

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20
Q

Electromagnetic waves (electromagnetic spectrum)

A

A family of waves which are made from oscillating electric and magnetic fields. All the waves are transverse and can travel through a vacuum at the speed if light, c = 3.0 X 10*8 ms-1

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21
Q

Malus’s Law

A

The intensity if light transmitted through a polarising filter is equal to I0cos*2 0

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22
Q

Plane polarisation

A

Where the oscillations if the electric field are in one plane only. Only transverse waves can be polarised.

23
Q

Typical wavelength values for light and UV waves

A

Visible 600-400nm
UV-A 400-315nm
UV-B 315-260nm
UV-C 260-100nm

24
Q

Vacuum

A

A region where there are no particles.

25
Q

Coherence

A

There is a constant phase difference between 2 waves.

26
Q

Constructive interference

A

The interference of two or more coherent waves which are in phase, resulting in their mutual reinforcement (the path difference between two such waves is nXwavelength.

27
Q

Destructive interference

A

The interference of two or more coherent waves which are in antiphase, resulting in their cancellation (the path difference between two such waves is (n+0.5).

28
Q

Diffraction

A

The spreading if a wave as it passes through a gap or past the edge of an object.

29
Q

Interference

A

Interference is when (two) waves meet/combine/interact/superpose (at a point) causing a change in overall intensity/displacement.

30
Q

Path difference

A

The difference in the distance travelled by two waves from coherent sources, measured at a particular point.

31
Q

Phase difference

A

The fraction of a cycle between the oscillations of two particles, measured in radians.

32
Q

Superposition

A

When two waves combine, their displacement are added together like vectors.

33
Q

Antinode

A

A point on a standing wave where the amplitude is always at its maximum possible value.

34
Q

Difference between progressive waves and stationary waves

A
  1. Stationary waves store energy; progressive waves transfer energy.
  2. Stationary waves have nodes and antinodes; progressive wave do not.
35
Q

Fundamental (frequency)

A

Simplest pattern of movement of standing wave which has the lowest possible frequency/longest wavelength.

36
Q

Node separation

A

The separation between two adjacent nodes (or antinodes) which is equal to wavelength/2.

37
Q

Node

A

A point on a standing wave where the amplitude is always zero.

38
Q

Stationary (or standing) wave

A

A wave which stores rather than transferring energy; the shape does not move along. Formed when an incident wave is reflected and then interferes/superposes with the incident wave to produce (a resultant wave with) nodes and/or antinodes.

39
Q

De Broglie wavelength

A

The wavelength of an electron which depends on its speed/momentum. It arises because electrons can behave as waves/show wavelike properties.

40
Q

Electron diffraction

A

When electrons are fired at a sample (e.g. Graphite) and a resulting interference pattern can be observed. This shows that electrons can be diffracted, therefore they are behaving as waves.

41
Q

Energy in eV

A

Energy in J = energy in eV X 1.6x10*-19

1J = 1.6x10*-19 eV

42
Q

Photoelectric effect

A

When a photo is absorbed by an electron in a metal surface, causing an electron (with energy above the work function) to be emitted.

43
Q

(Einstein’s) Photoelectric equation

A

Energy of incoming photon = work function X energy of emitted photoelectron

44
Q

Photon

A

A quantum of energy of electromagnetic radiation.

45
Q

Threshold frequency

A

The minimum frequency if electromagnetic radiation which will eject photoelectrons from the surface of a metal.

46
Q

Work function

A

The minimum energy required to release an electron from the surface of a metal.

47
Q

Absorption line spectrum

A

A series of dark lines (appearing against a bright background/within a continuous spectrum).

48
Q

Emission line spectrum

A

Is formed by light emitted from (excited isolated) atoms in a low pressure gas. It produces a series of (sharp/bright/coloured) lines against a dark background.

49
Q

Energy level

A

A quantised energy state of an orbital electron i. An atom.

50
Q

Ground state

A

The lowest energy stare that can be occupied by an orbital electron in an atom.

51
Q

Ionisation energy

A

The energy required to remove an orbital electron completely from its atom.

52
Q

Transition

A

When an electron ‘jumps’ between two energy levels.

53
Q

Electronvolt

A

The energy gained by an electron travelling through a p.d. of 1 volt.
1 eV = 1.6x10*-19

54
Q

Kirchhoff’s first law

A

The sum of the current entering any point (or junction) in a circuit is equal to the sum of current leaving that same point. This law conveys the conservation of charge.

55
Q

Kirchhoff’s second law

A

The sum of the e.m.f.s round a loop in a circuit is equal to the sum of p.d.s in that same loop.

AS Physics (2 decks)

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