P12 - Wave Properties (PAPER 2) Flashcards

1
Q

What can waves be used for

A

To transfer energy and information

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2
Q

What are transverse waves

A

Waves that oscillate perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer of the waves

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3
Q

What are longitudinal waves

A

Waves that oscillate parallel to the direction of energy transfer of the waves

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4
Q

What type of waves are all electromagnetic waves

A

transverse waves

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5
Q

What are the two types of waves

A
  • transverse waves
  • longitudinal waves
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6
Q

what are mechanical waves and what type of wave are they

A
  • vibrations that pass through a medium
  • can be either transverse or longitudinal
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7
Q

What is the amplitude of a wave

A

the maximum displacement of a point on the wave from its undisturbed position (top of crest or bottom of trough)

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8
Q

What are the highest points and lowest points of a wave called

A

The peaks (crests) and the troughs

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9
Q

What is the frequency of a wave

A

the number of waves passing a point per second

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10
Q

What is the wavelength of a wave

A

the distance from a point on a wave to its equivalent point on the adjacent wave

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11
Q

What is the formula for calculating the time period

A

period (s) = 1 / frequency (Hz)

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12
Q

What is the period

A

the total amount of time it takes for a wave to pass a certain point

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13
Q

what is the relationship between the wave speed, the frequency and the wavelength

A

wave speed (m/s) = frequency (Hz) x wave length (m)

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14
Q

What is reflection

A

the change of direction of waves so that they return to the medium that they originated from

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15
Q

What is refraction

A

The change of the direction in which the waves are travelling when they cross a boundary between one medium and another medium

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16
Q

What two things can happen at the boundary of mediums

A
  • transmitted
  • absorbed
17
Q

What are the two angles in reflection called and what is special about them

A
  • angle of incident
  • angle of reflection
  • they are the same
18
Q

What are 4 different types of mechanical wave

A
  • Sound waves
  • Water waves
  • Seismic waves
  • Spring waves
19
Q

In what condition are plane waves crossing boundaries between materials no refracted

A

When they cross the boundary at normal incidence

20
Q

When and why does refraction occur

A

At boundaries between different materials because their speed and wavelengths change

21
Q

What can happen at boundaries between different materials

A

The waves can be transmitted or absorbed

22
Q

What are sound waves

A

Vibrations that travel through a medium

23
Q

Where can sound waves not travel

A

a vacuum

24
Q

What change occurs when the frequency of a sound wave increases

A

the pitch of a note increases

25
Q

What change occurs when the amplitude of a sound wave increases

A

he loudness of the note increases

26
Q

Hoe to sound waves activate the brain

A

sound waves cause the ear drums to vibrate, and these send signals to the brain

27
Q

Why is human hearing limited

A

The conversion of sound waves to vibrations of solids only works over a limited frequency range

28
Q

What range of sound waves are ultrasound waves

A

sound waves with a frequency > 20kHz

29
Q

How are distances calculated using ultrasound waves

A

ultrasound waves reflected at boundaries are timed, and the timings are used to calculate distances

30
Q

Is an ultrasound scan safer than an x-ray. Why?

A

Yes since it is non-ionising

31
Q

What are seismic waves

A

waves that travel through the Earth

32
Q

Where are seismic waves produced

A

in an earthquake at the epicentre

33
Q

What is the difference between primary and secondary seismic waves

A

Primary (P) are longitudinal, secondary (S) are transverse