Quanta and Waves Flashcards

1
Q

State what is meant by the term node in standing waves.

A

A point on the standing wave pattern where there is no disturbance or the amplitude is zero

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2
Q

Explain how coating glass in magnesium fluoride makes the surface non-reflecting despite light being reflected off both the glass and magnesium fluoride

A

Rays 1 and 2 interfere destructively.

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3
Q

What will happen to the spot spacing if the 650m laser is replaced with a 300m laser?

A

The spots will become closer together as angle decreases as lambda decreases.

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4
Q

State what is meant by the term antinode in standing waves

A

point of maximum amplitude disturbance

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5
Q

Explain how the value of the wavelength can be determined from this stationary wave pattern

A

Measure distance between adjacent nodes nodal distance and double this distance

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6
Q

6

A

It is not possible to know the (precise) momentum and position of a quantum particle simultaneously.

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7
Q

State one piece of evidence for the particle-like behaviour of waves.

A

Photoelectric effect

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8
Q

State one piece of evidence for the wave-like behaviour of particles.

A

Electron diffraction

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9
Q

A wave travelling along a string is represented by the relationship
y =9.50×10^-4 sin (922t-4.50x)
What is w?

A

w = 922 rads-1

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10
Q

A wave travelling along a string is represented by the relationship
y =9.50×10^-4 sin(922t-4.50x)
What is lambda?

A

450m

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11
Q

Explain what is meant by the uncertainty principle.

A

It is not possible to know the position and the momentum of a quantum particle simultaneously.
Not possible to know the lifetime of a quantum particle and the associated energy change simultaneously.

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12
Q

Explain what is meant by quantum tunnelling.

A

A quantum particle can exist in a position that, according to classical physics, it has insufficient energy to occupy.

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13
Q

State what is meant by SHM

A

Displacement is
proportional to and in the opposite direction to the acceleration/unbalanced
force.

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14
Q

State the effects of underdamping on SHM

A

Object oscillates back and forth around an equilibrium point, losing Energy each cycle until it comes to rest at equilibrium.

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15
Q

State the effects of critical damping on SHM

A

Quickest return to equilibrium position without oscillation

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16
Q

State the effects of overdamping on SHM.

A

Object experiences a large resistance to motion, taking a long time to reach the equilibrium position (if at all)

17
Q

Explain how stationary waves are formed

A

Stationary waves are formed by a reflected wave interfering with an incident wave

18
Q

Explain what is meant two coherent waves

A

Two waves are coherent if they have the same:
Speed, frequency, wavelength
A constant phase relationship

19
Q

Explain what is meant by interference by division of amplitude

A

Each wave is being split, with some of it travelling along one path, and the remainder following a different path.
When these two parts are recombined, the difference in optical paths determines their phase difference, and hence how they interfere when they recombine.

20
Q

Explain what is meant by interference by division of wavefront.

A

A wavefront is split into at least two parts which combine to form an interference pattern (e.g. Young’s Slits).

21
Q

State what is meant by a plane polarised wave.

A

(The electric field vector)
oscillates (or vibrates) in one plane only.

22
Q

Use the HUP to explain why alpha particles can be emitted from uranium nuclei when classical physics states that it cannot overcome the strong nuclear force holding it in place.

A

The momentum of the alpha particle is known precisely therefore its position is not known precisely.

There is a (small) probability that the particle could exist outside the nucleus (even although classically it does not have sufficient I energy to escape).

23
Q

Laser light is directed through a double slit onto a screen. Explain how the pattern is produced.

A

Bright fringes due to constructive interference where waves are in phase/crest meets crest.

Dark fringes due to destructive interference where waves are totally out of phase/crest meets trough.

24
Q

Describe the origin and composition of cosmic rays.

A

They are high-energy particles that come from space/ above the atmosphere/ are absorbed by the atmosphere.

25
Q

Describe what is meant by the phrase energy is quantised.

A

Energy/radiation emitted/absorbec in discrete units (or, not continuous).

26
Q

Explain qualitatively how the Bohr model of the atom can account for line emission spectra.

A

Electrons orbit the nucleus of an atom in only certain allowed orbits.
Charges between orbits can only produce discrete, fixed quanta of energy. Discrete frequencies produce discrete lines.

27
Q

A driver is wearing polarising sunglasses. Explain how wearing polarising sunglasses rather than non-polarising sunglasses will reduce the glare experienced by the driver.

A

The polarising sunglasses will act as an analyser/ absorb/block (some of) the glare.

28
Q

High energy charged particles are ejected from the Sun. State the name given to the constant stream of charged particles which the Sun ejects.

A

Solar wind

29
Q

State 3 experiments that cannot be explained by classical physics.

A
  1. UV catastrophe
  2. Formation of emission and absorption spectra
  3. The photoelectric effect
30
Q

State the key features of the Bhor model of the atom.

A

Electron energy and angular momentum are quantised.