physics - waves Flashcards
What do waves do?
Transfer energy from one area to another with out transferring matter
What is the wavelength
The distance from one trough to another trough or peak to peak
What is the amplitude
The amplitude of a wave is the maximum displacement
from the equilibrium position (the x-axis).
What is the time period
The time period is the time it takes for one entire oscillation of the wave
Unit for frequency
Hz
What is a traverse wave
Oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of the energy transfer
What is a longitudinal wave
Oscillations are parallel to the direction of the energy transfer
Depending on conditions, when light hits a material it can be
Reflected, absorbed, transmitted
Where does specular reflection happen
Specular reflection occurs on surfaces where the boundary is flat
What type of image will specular reflection produce?
A clear image
Where does diffuse reflection occur
Diffuse reflection occurs on materials where the surface is bumpy
What is refraction
Refraction refers to changes in direction of the wave as it passes from one medium to another and it’s caused by it’s change in speed
Light travels more ____ in a more dense material
slowly
Light travelling from a less dense material to a more dense material will bend ____ the normal
towards
Light travelling from a more dense material to a less dense material will _____ the normal
away from
What happens to wave speed and frequency when a wave travels into a more dense medium
Wave speed - decreases
Frequency - Stays the same
What happens to wave speed and wave length when a wave travels into a more dense medium
Wave speed - decreases
Wave length - decreases
Are electromagnetic waves transverse of longitudinal
Transverse
What speed does electromagnetic waves travel at in a vacuum
3 x 10(8) m/s
What are true about radio waves
Have a long wavelength and low frequency
What are true of gamma rays
Have a short wavelength and high frequency
Which types of electromagnetic waves can be used in communication
Microwaves
Radio waves
Which of the following types of electromagnetic waves are considered ionising?
Gamma rays
X rays
How can you produce radio waves
Using an alternating current in an electrical circuit.
What are EM waves made up of
Electrical and magnetic fields
What are alternating currents made up of
Oscillating charges
How can you produce radio waves
Using an alternating current in an electrical circuit. The waves will be transmitted to the receiver and radio waves are absorbed.
What us a transmitter in terms of radio waves
The object in which charges oscillate to create the radio waves
What happens when the waves reach the receiver
The energy causes the electrons to oscillate and, if the receiver is part of a complete electrical circuit, it generates an alternating current. This current has the same frequency as the radio wave that generated it.
What are radio waves used for
Communication
How can long-wave radios be transmitted so far
They diffract around the curved surface of the Earth as well as hills and into tunnels. This makes it possible for radio signals to be receiver even if the receiver isn’t in line of the sight of the transmitter.
How can short-wave radio signals be transmitted so far
They are reflected from the inonosphere
What wavelengths do TV and FM radio use
Very short wavelengths. To get reception, you must be in direct sight of the transmitter.
What wave on the EM spectrum has the longest wave length and the lowest frequency
Radio waves
What are oscilloscopes used for
To display the frequency of an alternating current
What EM wave is used by satellites and why
Microwaves can pass easily through the Earth’s watery atmosphere
How does satellite TV work
The signal from a transmitter is transmitted into space where it’s picked up by the satellite receiver dish orbiting thousands of kilometres above the earth. The satellite transmits the signal back to Earth in a different direction where it’s received by a satellite dish on the ground.
What are microwaves used for
Microwave ovens and satellites