P6 - Waves Flashcards
What do waves transfer from one place to another without transferring?
Energy
Waves transfer energy but not matter.
What is the amplitude of a wave?
The maximum displacement of a point on the wave from its undisturbed position.
Define wavelength in the context of waves.
The distance between the same point on two adjacent waves.
What is frequency measured in?
Hertz (Hz).
How many waves correspond to 1 Hz?
1 wave per second.
What type of waves have oscillations perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer?
Transverse waves.
Give three examples of transverse waves.
- All electromagnetic waves (e.g., light)
- Ripples and waves in water
- A wave on a string.
In longitudinal waves, how are the oscillations oriented?
Parallel to the direction of energy transfer.
What is an example of a longitudinal wave?
Sound waves in air.
What are mechanical waves?
Waves that require a medium to travel, such as water waves, shock waves, and waves in springs and ropes.
True or False: The speed of a wave is the speed at which matter is being transferred.
False.
What equipment is used to measure the speed of sound?
Oscilloscope and microphones
An oscilloscope displays the detected waves, while microphones capture the sound waves.
What is reflection in wave behavior?
Reflection occurs when an incoming ray is sent back away from the second material without being absorbed or transmitted.
This is the principle behind how echoes are created.
What are electromagnetic (EM) waves classified as?
EM waves are transverse waves.
They transfer energy from a source to an absorber.
Do all EM waves travel at the same speed in a vacuum?
Yes, all EM waves travel at the same speed through air or a vacuum.
They can travel at different speeds in different materials, which can lead to refraction.
How are electromagnetic waves grouped?
They are grouped based on their wavelength and frequency, forming a continuous spectrum.
There are seven basic types of EM waves.
What part of the EM spectrum can our eyes detect?
Our eyes can only detect visible light.
Why are different EM waves used for different purposes?
Different EM waves have varying properties that make them suitable for specific applications.
What is refraction?
Refraction is the change in direction of a wave when it crosses a boundary between two materials. (like a laser hitting glass and changing direction)
What occurs when a wave hits a boundary at an angle?
The wave changes direction and is refracted.
How does density affect wave speed?
Usually, the higher the density of a material, the slower a wave travels through it.
What is optical density?
Optical density is a measure of how quickly light can travel through a material; higher optical density means slower light travel.
What changes in a wave when it is refracted?
The wavelength of a wave changes, but the frequency stays the same.
What is the angle of incidence?
The angle of incidence is the angle between the incident ray and the normal.