Theory

Question 1

What is the amplitude:

Answer 1

The distance between the centre and peak or trough of the wave

Question 2

What is the wavelength:

Answer 2

The distance between the same point on two waves

Question 3

What are the two types of wave:

Answer 3

Transverse and longitudinal

Question 4

What is the most common type of wave:

Answer 4

Transverse

Question 5

What is the frequency:

Answer 5

The number of waves per second

Question 6

What are longitudinal waves always:

Answer 6

Sound waves

Question 7

Can transverse waves travel through a vacuum:

Answer 7

Yes

Question 8

Can longitudinal waves travel through a vacuum:

Answer 8

Nope

Question 9

What is frequency measured in:

Answer 9

Hertz (Hz)

Question 10

On wave per second equals:

Answer 10

1 Hz

Question 11

Formula for frequency:

Answer 11

number of waves past a point
Frequency = ———————————————
time

Question 12

Formula for wave speed using names:

Answer 12

Wave speed = frequency x wavelength

Question 13

Formula for wave speed using symbols:

Answer 13

v = f x lambda

Question 14

Formula for wave speed using units:

Answer 14

m/s = Hz x m

Question 15

The law of reflection:

Answer 15

The angle of incidence = the angle of reflection

Question 16

Refraction:

Answer 16

Something changing speed as it goes through a different medium

Question 17

Refracting light makes it bend:

Answer 17

Towards the normal if the medium is denser than the previous medium

Question 18

Define lateral inversion:

Answer 18

A reflected image

Question 19

When you merge waves that are the same:

Answer 19

The end result is the same wave

Question 20

When you merge waves that peak and trough at the same time but opposite:

Answer 20

The end result is a straight line

Question 21

When you merge two different waves:

Answer 21

Don’t find the midpoint - literally add them - two different downs makes a bigger down than either - the more different, the smaller the wave

Question 22

What is diffraction:

Answer 22

When a wave spreads out after passing through a gap

Question 23

Does diffraction work better with a large or small gap:

Answer 23

Smaller

Question 24

What are mechanical waves:

Answer 24

Waves that oscillate through matter

Question 25

Do mechanical waves work in a vacuum:

Answer 25

No, because they need matter to pass through

Question 26

What type of wave are mechanical waves:

Answer 26

Both

Question 27

Why does light split up in a prism:

Answer 27

Because each colour is at a different wavelength so they each refract differently to make the rainbow thing (spectrum)