P12 - Wave Properties (PAPER 2) Flashcards
What can waves be used for
To transfer energy and information
What are transverse waves
Waves that oscillate perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer of the waves
What are longitudinal waves
Waves that oscillate parallel to the direction of energy transfer of the waves
What type of waves are all electromagnetic waves
transverse waves
What are the two types of waves
- transverse waves
- longitudinal waves
what are mechanical waves and what type of wave are they
- vibrations that pass through a medium
- can be either transverse or longitudinal
What is the amplitude of a wave
the maximum displacement of a point on the wave from its undisturbed position (top of crest or bottom of trough)
What are the highest points and lowest points of a wave called
The peaks (crests) and the troughs
What is the frequency of a wave
the number of waves passing a point per second
What is the wavelength of a wave
the distance from a point on a wave to its equivalent point on the adjacent wave
What is the formula for calculating the time period
period (s) = 1 / frequency (Hz)
What is the period
the total amount of time it takes for a wave to pass a certain point
what is the relationship between the wave speed, the frequency and the wavelength
wave speed (m/s) = frequency (Hz) x wave length (m)
What is reflection
the change of direction of waves so that they return to the medium that they originated from
What is refraction
The change of the direction in which the waves are travelling when they cross a boundary between one medium and another medium