P1.5 - The Uses of Waves Flashcards
What so waves transfer?
Energy
What 2 types of waves are there?
Transverse and longditudinal
What are the oscillations in a transverse wave like?
Perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer
What re the oscillations in a longitudinal wave like?
Parallel to the direction of energy transfer
Are electromagnetic waves transverse or longitudinal?
Transverse
Give an example of a longitudinal wave:
A sound wave
How do electromagnetic waves behave in a vacuum?
They all travel at the same speed
What do the speeds of electromagnetic waves vary from?
10^-15 to 10^4
What is the order of the electromagnetic spectrum?
Radio, Micro, Infrared, Visible, UV, X-Ray, Gamma
Which type of wave has the shortest wavelength?
Gamma
Which type of wave has the lowest frequency?
Radio
Which type of wave has the most energy?
Gamma
Longitudinal waves show areas of…
…compression and rarefaction
How can the direction/speed of waves change?
They can be reflected, refracted or diffracted
What happens when a wave is refracted at an interface?
It changes direction
What is frequency?
How many wavelengths pass a certain point every second?
What is frequency measured in?
Hz (Hertz)
What is wavelength?
The distance between two identical points on a wave (2 consecutive peaks/troughs)
What is amplitude?
The distance between the equilibrium and the highest peak of a wave
What is the wave equation?
v = f x λ (speed = frequency x wavelength)
Which types of waves can be used for communication?
Radio, micro, infrared and visible light waves
How can radio waves be used for communication?
Television, radio
How can micro waves be used for communication?
mobile phones, satellite tv
How can infrared waves be used for communication?
remote controls
How can visible light waves be used for communication?
photography
