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Physics - waves > Physics - waves > Flashcards

Physics - waves Flashcards

1
Q

Amplitude

A
  1. The distance from equilibrium to either trough or crest.

2. The max displacement of a particle.

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2
Q

Displacement

A

Distance from equilibrium

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3
Q

Wavelength

A

Distance from identical points in a wave train, from trough to trough, or crest to crest.
It is written as lambda

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4
Q

Period

A

Time taken for one wave to pass a given point

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5
Q

Frequency

A

Number of cycles per second. This is measured in hertz (Hz)

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6
Q

Trough

A

The lowest point in a wave

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7
Q

Crest/peak

A

The highest point in a wave

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8
Q

Oscillation

A

The repetitive vibrations of a particle in a material, around a central point. This transfers energy through waves.

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9
Q

Mechanical waves

A

Are vibrations of a material. Mechanical waves need a medium, or material, to go through. (Either solid, liquid, or gas). Examples of mechanical waves are sound, seismic waves, and string.

There are two types of mechanical waves:
Transverse and longitudinal.

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10
Q

Electromagnetic waves

A

Either electric or magnetic fields through space. Electromagnetic waves don’t need a medium or material to move through. (E.g. The electromagnetic spectrum)

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11
Q

Longitudinal waves

A

Oscillations occur parallel to the direction of travel.

The wave compresses and expands as the energy travels

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12
Q

Transverse waves

A

Oscillations occur perpendicular to the direction of travel.

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13
Q

Analogue signal

A

A continuous signal that varies in amplitude or frequency with the info being transmitted.

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14
Q

Bandwidth

A

The amount of data that can be transmitted through a communication channel.

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15
Q

Binary number system

A

Number system consisting of only two digits, 0 and 1

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16
Q

Coherent

A

Light waves that are in a repeating pattern

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17
Q

Colour filter

A

A transparent material that that allows light of a particular colour to pass through

18
Q

Diffraction

A

Bending of a wave around an obstacle

19
Q

Digital signal

A

A signal consisting of a series of on or off pulses

20
Q

Dispersion

A

Splitting of weight light into separate colours

21
Q

Electric field

A

A region of electrical influence in which charged particles will move

22
Q

Electromagnetic radiation

A

Electromagnetic waves consisting of oscillating electric and magnetic fields travelling at the speed of light

23
Q

Electromagnetic spectrum

A

The entire range of frequencies of electromagnetic radiation, from high frequency gamma rays to low frequency radio waves

24
Q

Electromagnetic wave

A

Transverse electric and magnetic fields positioned at right angles to each other and travelling through empty space at the speed of light

25
Q

Electromagnetism

A

The phenomenon of electric and magnetic fields interacting with each other

26
Q

Fluoresce

A

Absorb UV light and emit visible light

27
Q

Gamma rays

A

Extremely high frequency electromagnetic radiation emitted by radioactive materials

28
Q

Infrared radiation

A

Electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths slightly longer than those of visible light, detected by our skin as heat

29
Q

Magnetic field

A

A region of magnetic influence in which a magnetic object (like a compass) will move

30
Q

Microwaves

A

Electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths ranging from fractions of a Millimeter to tens of centimetres, used in communication and cooking

31
Q

Optical, fibre

A

A narrow tube of glass or plastic used to transmit pulses of light

32
Q

Polarised

A

Electromagnetic radiation that is oscillating in a single plane

33
Q

Primary colours of light

A

Red, green and blue

34
Q

Radio waves

A

Electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths ranging from less than a centimetre to hundreds of Kilometers, used in communication

35
Q

Scattering

A

The interaction of light with particles in the atmosphere, depending on the colour and frequency of the light

36
Q

Secondary colours of light

A

Cyan, yellow and magenta

37
Q

Ultraviolet light (UV)

A

Electromagnetic radiation with frequencies just above visible light, contained in sunlight

38
Q

Visible spectrum

A

The range of colours that can be seen by the eye (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet)

39
Q

Wave motion

A

The transfer of energy without transferring matter

40
Q

Wireless internet (Wi-Fi)

A

A meathod of transmitting an internet signal using radio waves

41
Q

X-rays

A

High frequency electromagnetic radiation that can penetrate materials

Physics - waves (1 decks)

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