M4 Waves - Part 1 Flashcards
features of waves, phase difference, EM waves, polarisation, intensity
define wave
periodic disturbance in a material or space
each particle vibrates about a fixed position
energy is transferred outwards from the source of the wave
what are progressive waves
an oscillation that travels through matter, transferring energy.
when traveling through a medium, particles move from equilibrium position to a new position.
the displaced particle experiences a restoring force from neighboring particles and returns to its original position.
what types of waves are transverse and longitudinal
progressive
define transverse waves
the direction of vibration is at 90 degrees to the direction of energy transfer
these have crests and troughs
give examples of transverse waves
EM waves
waves on water
s waves in earthquakes
define longitudinal wave
the direction of vibration is parallel to the direction of energy transfer. these have compressions and rarefactions
give examples of longitudinal waves
sound waves
p waves in earthquakes
define mechanical wave
give examples
these waves require a material/medium to transfer through
produced by oscillation of particles in a medium
eg. sound or water
define electromagnetic waves
these waves require no medium and so can transfer energy through a vacuum
produced by acceleration of charged particles
define amplitude
the maximum displacement of the wave in either the positive or negative direction (from equilibrium position)
unit is m
define displacement of a wave
distance of a point from the equilibrium position in a particular direction (vector)
has positive or negative direction
define wavelength
Distance between 2 points in phase on adjacent waves
eg. distance between two successive crests
define frequency
number of oscillations/vibrations (at a point) per unit time
define period
time taken to produce one complete wave
symbol = T
define wave speed
distance travelled by a wave per unit time
symbol = v
define phase difference
difference between displacements of particles along a wave
a complete wave = 360 degrees or 2π radians
in phase = phase difference of 0
units = degrees or radians
derive v = fλ
s = d/t distance = wavelength time = period s = wavelength / period period = 1/frequency s = wavelength / 1 / frequency s = wavelength X frequency s = v v = f X λ
classify the following waves:
a) sound
b) light
c) water
d) x-rays
e) microwaves
a) sound = longitudinal and mechanical
b) light = transverse and electromagnetic
c) water = transverse, sometimes longitudinal and mechanical
d) x-rays = transverse and electromagnetic
e) microwaves = transverse and electromagnetic
what are all the basic wave properties of EM waves
reflection refraction diffraction polarisation interference energy transference
what is the speed of EM waves
3 X 10^8 ms^-1
which of radio waves or gamma rays has the longest wavelength?
radio