Revision Flashcards
What are waves?
Waves carry energy from one place to another and can be used to transmit signals.
What is wavelength?
Distance from one point on a wave to an identical point on the next wave
What is wavelength measured in? Symbol?
Meters, lambda
What is amplitude?
Size of maximum disturbance from the centre line/ top of wave till the middle line
What is period?
Time taken for one full wave to pass a point
What is period measured in? Symbol?
Seconds, T (capital)
What is wave speed?
Distance travelled by a wavelength in one second
What is wave speed measured in? Symbol.
Metres per second (m s-1), v
How do you measure wave speed?
Wave speed= distance travelled divided by time
What is frequency?
Number of waves per second
What is frequency measured in? Symbol?
Measured in hertz (Hz), f
How can u get the frequency of a wave?
Frequency= number of waves divided by time
How do transverse waves travel?
At 90 degree angles
Examples of transverse waves are?
Water waves and electromagnetic waves
How do longitudinal waves travel?
The same direction as the direction of motion if the wave
Examples of longitudinal waves are?
Sound waves and shock waves
How are all sounds produced?
All sounds are produced by vibration object, e.g. guitar strings, drums skins or human vocal cords.
What is the speed of sound in air measured as?
340 m s-1
What is the speed of the electromagnetic waves?
300,000,000 m s-1
What are the waves in the electromagnetic spectrum?
Radio waves Microwaves Infrared Light Visible Light Ultraviolet Light X-rays Gamma Rays
What waves have the most energy in the electromagnetic spectrum?
Gamma rays
What waves have the least energy in the electromagnetic spectrum?
Radio waves
What can nuclear radiation be used for?
Sterilising medical/surgical equipment
Killing cancer cells
Smoke alarms
What is diffraction?
Diffraction is the bending of waves around a barrier or through a gap.
