P1 - Wave Characteristics Flashcards
What 3 characteristics that waves have?
Amplitude, frequency and wavelength
What is amplitude?
The distance/displacement from the rest spot to the crest
What is frequency?
The number of complete cycles/oscillations passing a certain point per second
What is wavelength?
The length of a full cycle of the wave (crest to crest)
How do you calculate wave speed?
Frequency(Hz) x Wavelength(m)
How many hertz are in 1 kHz?
1000 Hz
How many Hertz are in 1 mHz?
1000000 Hz
Name 3 properties of waves
Can be reflected, refracted and diffracted
What happens when a wave arrives at an obstacle?
Its direction of travel can be changed
What is the law of reflection?
Angle of incidience = Angle of reflection
What happens when light is reflected off an even surface/mirror?
It is all reflected at the same angle so you get a clear reflection
What happens when light is reflected off an uneven surface/paper?
It reflects off at different angles
How does total internal reflection happen?
When light travels through a dense material into a less dense one. So if the angle of incidience is big enough the ray reflects back into the material. = bigger than the critical angle = total internal reflection
