P3.1 - Waves Flashcards
What is a wave? [2]
It transfers energy through a medium without the movement of matter
What do electromagnetic waves consist of? [2]
Oscillating electric and magnetic fields
What do mechanical waves do? [2]
They transfer energy through the oscillation of particles
What are the 2 types of waves? [2]
- Transverse
- Longitudinal
What are transverse waves? [2]
They oscillate in a direction which is perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer.
What are longitudinal waves? [2]
They oscillate in the same direction/ in a parallel motion as the energy transfer.
Examples of transverse waves. [2]
- Light waves
- Water waves
Examples of longitudinal waves.
- Sound waves
What is the amplitude of a wave? [1]
How big the oscillation around the mean is.
What does it mean if the amplitude is higher in a wave, in terms of energy? [1]
The more energy it contains.
What does it mean if the amplitude is higher in a wave, in terms of sound? [1]
The sounds are louder.
What is the wavelength of a wave? [1]
The distance between a peak of a wave and the next peak or the trough and the next trough.
What does it mean if the wave has a low wavelength, in terms of energy? [1]
The higher energy it is
What is wavelength measure in? [1]
Metres, millimetres, micrometres or nanometres.
What is the frequency of a wave? [2]
The number of peaks or troughs that pass through a certain point each second.
Why do electromagnetic waves travel fastest in a vacuum? [1]
They do not need a medium to travel through.
When do mechanical waves travel fastest? [1]
In dense medium
What does it mean if the frequency is higher in a wave, in terms of energy? [1]
It has more energy.
What is frequency measure in? [1]
Hertz, Hz
What is the equation that relates frequency and wavelength? [1]
V = Fλ
What is the symbol for wavelength? [1]
λ
V = Fλ / Explain this equation.
Speed = Frequency x Wavelength
What happens to the frequency if a wave changes medium? [1]
It stays the same.
What happens to the wavelength if a wave changes medium? [1]
It changes.
What is the speed of a wave description? [1]
How fast the wavefront travels outwards from the source.
What is a time period? [1]
The time taken to complete one complete oscillation.
What does frequency =? [1]
1/T(time period)
What does time period =? [1]
1/F
