P5.1 Wave Behaviour Flashcards

1
Q

What is a wave?

A

A regular disturbance that transfers energy in the direction the wave is travelling without transferring matter.

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2
Q

What are the two types of wave?

A
  1. Transverse

2. Longitudinal

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3
Q

What is a transverse wave?

A

A wave which the oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer.

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4
Q

What is a longitudinal wave?

A

A wave for which the oscillations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer.

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5
Q

Give two examples of transverse waves.

A
  1. Electromagnetic waves

2. Seismic s-waves

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6
Q

Give two examples of longnitudinal waves.

A
  1. Sound waves

2. Seismic p-waves

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7
Q

What are the two parts of a longitudinal wave called?

A

Compressions and rarefactions.

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8
Q

What is a wave’s amplitude?

A

The maximum displacement of a point on a wave from its undisturbed position.

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9
Q

What is a wavelength?

A
  • the distance from a point on a wave to the same position on the adjacent wave.
  • Most commonly peak to peak or trough to trough.
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10
Q

What is the frequency of a wave?

A

The number of waves that pass a given point each second.

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11
Q

What is the unit used for frequency?

A

Hertz, Hz

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12
Q

What is meant by a frequency of 200Hz?

A

200 waves pass a given point each second.

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13
Q

What is wave speed?

A

The speed at which energy is transferred through a medium.

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14
Q

What does a wave transfer?

A

Energy.

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15
Q

what word is used to descibe when a wave bounces off a surface?

A

Reflection

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16
Q

What is refraction?

A

Refraction is the change in speed of a wave as it reaches a boundary between two media, resulting in a change in direction.

17
Q

What property of a wave is not changed by refraction?

A

The frequency

18
Q

When entering a denser material, light waves….

A

slow down and bend towards the normal.

19
Q

What is a ripple tank?

A

A shallow glass tank with an oscillating paddle/needle to create waves. It is illuminated from above so the waves can be seen on the surface below the tank.