Physics paper 2 - WAVES Flashcards
what do waves do
waves transfer energy from one location to another but not matter allowing us to interpret meaningful information
what is the distance, displacement, oscillation, time period, amplitude, top of wave, bottom of wave, wavelength, time period, frequency
distance - how far the wave has travelled from start point
displacement - how far the wave has oscillated from point of equilibrium
oscillation - refers to movement of vibrations in wave
time period - the time it takes to complete one entire oscillation
top of the wave - crest
bottom of wave - trough
wavelength - distance for the wave to complete one full oscillation
amplitude - maximum displacement
frequency - number of complete oscillations per second
how do you calculate the frequency, how do you calculate the wave speed (state what they are measured in)
frequency (Hz) = 1/T (time period)(s)
wave speed (m/s) = frequency x wavelength (m)
what are longitudinal and transverse waves give examples
longitudinal waves oscillations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer for example seismic and sound waves
transverse waves oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer for example light, radio, ripples, waves of strings
what are the three things that can happen when a wave comes into contact with an object/medium. What is this dependant on
what happens when a light wave hits a smooth object. List type of reflection
what happens when a light wave hits a rough object. List type of reflection
describe what happens as a light wave passes through a more dense material and then back out into a less dense material
does the angle of incidence = angle of reflection
what does refraction actually describe
refraction describes a change in the light waves direction as it passes through one medium to another with different properties with the more dense the medium the slower the wave speed
what happens when white light is reflected through a prism
As different wavelengths are refracted by different amounts if we pass a white light through a triangular prism then all colours will bend to different degrees
what are the main 3 things to know about electromagnetic waves
what do all waves on the electromagnetic spectrum have in common
they are all made up of oscillating electric and magnetic fields
what differentiates the different electromagnetic waves
the wavelengths and frequencies which are inversely related
How are gamma rays, visible light UV light X-rays emitted, How is infra-red radiation emitted
how do we generate radio waves (why is alternating current important)
what are the different types of radio waves and how they function
what are the two main uses of microwaves
what are the three main uses of infra - red radiation
how is visible light used
what do X-Rays do and how do they work
what are the benefits and drawbacks of X-rays (add how to prevent exposure of radiation to staff)
