Physics Topics 4-5 Waves and Electromagnetism

Question 1

What does a wave transfer?

Answer 1

Energy

Question 2

Describe an experiment to show that in water waves only the wave moves, not the water.

Answer 2

Put a rubber duck on a wave tank

The rubber duck would bob up and down but not move

Question 3

What is the frequency of the waves?

Answer 3

The number of waves per second

Question 4

What is the wavelength of a wave?

Answer 4

The distance between two peaks of a wave

The distance between two rarefactions/compressions

Question 5

What is the amplitude of a wave?

Answer 5

Its height

Question 6

What is the period of a wave?

Answer 6

The time taken for one wave to pass

Question 7

What is the difference between a longitudinal and transverse wave?

Answer 7

Longitudinal oscillates (moves) parallel to energy transfer
Transverse oscillates (moves) perpendicular to energy transfer
Longitudinal has rarefactions and compressions

Question 8

Give an example of a transverse wave?

Answer 8

Light and electromagnetic waves

Question 9

Give an example of a longitudinal wave?

Answer 9

Sound

Question 10

What is the equation that links wave speed, frequency and wavelength?

Answer 10

Wave speed = frequency x wavelength

Question 11

What is the equation that links wave speed, distance and time?

Answer 11

Wave speed = distance ÷ time

Question 12

Are all electromagnetic waves transverse or longitudinal?

Answer 12

Transverse

Question 13

What is the speed of all electromagnetic waves in a vacuum?

Answer 13

300,000,000m/s

Question 14

List the 7 types of electromagnetic wave in order

Answer 14

Radio, Microwave, Infrared, Visible, Ultraviolet, X-ray, Gamma
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Question 15

List the 7 colours of the visible light spectrum

Answer 15

Red Orange Yellow Green Blue Indigo Violet

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Question 16

Which type of electromagnetic wave has the highest frequency?

Answer 16

Gamma

Question 17

Which type of electromagnetic wave has the highest wavelength?

Answer 17

Radio

Question 18

Which type of electromagnetic wave has the lowest frequency?

Answer 18

Radio

Question 19

Which type of electromagnetic wave has the lowest wavelength?

Answer 19

Gamma

Question 20

What type of radiation does our eye detect?

Answer 20

Visible Light

Question 21

Which type of electromagnetic wave is the most dangerous?

Answer 21

Gamma (highest frequency)

Question 22

Describe the dangers of microwaves to humans?

Answer 22

Heats internal body cells

Question 23

Describe the dangers of infrared to humans?

Answer 23

burns skins

Question 24

Describe the dangers of ultraviolet waves to humans?

Answer 24

Damages skin cells causing cancer

Question 25

Describe the dangers of x-rays and gamma rays to humans?

Answer 25

Mutates cells causing cancer

Question 26

Describe a use of radio waves

Answer 26

Communications and satellites

Question 27

Describe a use of microwaves

Answer 27

Heating food, communications and satellites

Question 28

Describe a use of infrared

Answer 28

Communications, security systems, TV remotes

Question 29

Describe a use of visible light

Answer 29

Photography and vision

Question 30

Describe a use of ultraviolet waves

Answer 30

Security marking, fluorescent lighting, disinfecting water, detecting forged bank notes

Question 31

Describe a use of x-rays

Answer 31

Medical imaging, airport security

Question 32

Describe a use of gamma rays

Answer 32

Sterilising food and medical equipment, detection of cancer and cancer treatment