Theory Flashcards
What is the amplitude:
The distance between the centre and peak or trough of the wave
What is the wavelength:
The distance between the same point on two waves
What are the two types of wave:
Transverse and longitudinal
What is the most common type of wave:
Transverse
What is the frequency:
The number of waves per second
What are longitudinal waves always:
Sound waves
Can transverse waves travel through a vacuum:
Yes
Can longitudinal waves travel through a vacuum:
Nope
What is frequency measured in:
Hertz (Hz)
On wave per second equals:
1 Hz
Formula for frequency:
number of waves past a point
Frequency = ———————————————
time
Formula for wave speed using names:
Wave speed = frequency x wavelength
Formula for wave speed using symbols:
v = f x lambda
Formula for wave speed using units:
m/s = Hz x m
The law of reflection:
The angle of incidence = the angle of reflection
Refraction:
Something changing speed as it goes through a different medium
Refracting light makes it bend:
Towards the normal if the medium is denser than the previous medium
Define lateral inversion:
A reflected image
When you merge waves that are the same:
The end result is the same wave
When you merge waves that peak and trough at the same time but opposite:
The end result is a straight line
When you merge two different waves:
Don’t find the midpoint - literally add them - two different downs makes a bigger down than either - the more different, the smaller the wave
What is diffraction:
When a wave spreads out after passing through a gap
Does diffraction work better with a large or small gap:
Smaller
What are mechanical waves:
Waves that oscillate through matter
Do mechanical waves work in a vacuum:
No, because they need matter to pass through
What type of wave are mechanical waves:
Both
Why does light split up in a prism:
Because each colour is at a different wavelength so they each refract differently to make the rainbow thing (spectrum)
