Physics Definitions - And General

Question 1

Definition of Amplitude

Answer 1

Loudness

Question 2

Definition of Pitch

Answer 2

Frequency (range)

Question 3

Definition of Frequency

Answer 3

Number of cycles of a wave in 1 second

Question 4

Definition of a period

Answer 4

Time for one complete wave to pass a point

Question 5

Definition of Diffraction in waves

Answer 5

A change of direction of waves as they pass through an opening or around something

Question 6

Definiton of Refraction in waves

Answer 6

A change in direction as they pass from one medium to another

Question 7

Definition of Transverse wave

Answer 7

Wave whose oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of the wave’s advance. e.g wave goes side to side. like a graph of sin (x)

Question 8

Definition of Longitude wave

Answer 8

Wave consisting of a vibration that takes place in the same direction as the advance of the wave. e.g wave goes e.g wave goes back and forth, hitting each other, domino effect. like sound.

Question 9

What is transmitted by optical fibres

Answer 9

Pulses of electromagnetic waves

Question 10

Electromagnetic Radiation waves order, Largest wave length to smallest.

Answer 10

Radio Waves, Microwaves, Infrared, Ultra-Violet, X-ray waves and Gamma Rays. Opposite way around for frequencies.

Question 11

What is the speed of light?

Answer 11

3.00 x 10*8, all waves travel at this speed.

Question 12

What happens to a ray of light if

Angle of incident < Critical angle?

Answer 12

Ray is split into a refracted ray, and a weaker reflected ray.

Question 13

What happens to a ray of light if

Angle of incident = Critical angle?

Answer 13

Ray runs along the surface.

Question 14

What happens to a ray of light if

Angle of incident > Critical angle?

Answer 14

Total internal reflection. The ray is totally reflected, on the same side of the surface.