Topic P6 Waves Flashcards
how do waves transfer energy
from one place to another without transferring any matter
what is amplitude of a wave
the maximum displacement of a point on the wave from its undisturbed position
what is the wavelength
the distance between the same point on 2 adjacent waves
what is the frequency
the number of complete waves passing a certain point per second
what is frequency measured in
hertz (Hz)
what is period measured in
seconds
what are transvervse waves
-have sideways vibrations
-they’re perpendicular at the direction of energy transfer
waves are either
-transvervse
-longitudinal
state which waves are transvervse
- electromagnetic waves
- ripples and waves in water
- a wave on a string
what are longitudinal waves
-oscillations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer
an example of a longitduinal wave
-air
what is wave speed measured in
m/s
what is wavelength measured in
metres
what should you use an oscilloscope to measure
-to measure the speed of sound
1. set it up so detected waves are shown as seperate waves
2. both microscopes next to the speaker and then slowly move 1 away until next waves are aligned
3. measure distance between the microphones to find 1wavelength
state what happens when waves meet boundaries
- absorbed by 2nd material
- **transmit **through 2nd material
- wave is **reflected **
what type of waves are electromagnetic
transverse
-they transfer energy from a source to an absorber
how does a camp fire transfer energy
-by emitting infared radiation
-they are then absorbed by objects to the thermal energy store
how do radio waves transfer energy
to the kinetic energy stores of electrons in radio receivers which generates an electrical current
state characteristics of electromagnetic waves
-all travel at the same speed through air
-aren’t vibrations of particles and are vibrations of electric and magnetic fields means TRAVEL THROUGH VACUUM
-vary in wavelength
what is refraction
where waves change direction at a boundary
state how u detect refraction
when a wave hits the boundary at an angle and changes direction
how ray diagrams show the path of a wave
-straight lines that are perpendicular to wave fronts and they show the direction a wave is travelling in
state how refracted waves slow down or speed up
-when the waves bends towards the normal, it slows down
-when it bends away from the normal it speeds up