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Physics > Topic THREE - Waves > Flashcards

Topic THREE - Waves Flashcards

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1
Q

what is the definition of amplitude in progressive waves?

A

the max displacement from equilibrium

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2
Q

what is the definition of wavelength in a progressive wave?

A

the length of one complete wave

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3
Q

what is the definition of displacement in a progressive wave?

A

distance a particle moves from its equilibrium position

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4
Q

what is the definition of a period in a progressive wave?

A

time taken to complete one wave

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5
Q

what is the definition of frequency is a progressive wave?

A

no. of waves per sec

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6
Q

what is the definition of wave speed in a progressive wave?

A

wavelength/period

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7
Q

what is the definition of phase angle in a progressive wave?

A

the position along the wave

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8
Q

when the x-axis on a wave is distance what is the name of the distance between two adjacent points of the wave?

A

wavelength

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9
Q

when the x-axis on a wave is time what is the name of the distance between two adjacent points of the wave?

A

Time period (T)

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10
Q

what is the definition of a longitudinal wave?

A

the oscillations are parallel to the direction of movement

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11
Q

what is compression?

A

when particles are close together in a longitudinal wave

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12
Q

what is the definition of rarefraction?

A

when particles are spread out in a longitudinal wave

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13
Q

how do you find the wavelength in a longitudinal wave?

A

measure the distance between one compression/rarefraction to the next

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14
Q

how do you find the amplitude in a longitudinal wave?

A

its the max distance a particle moves from its equilibrium point

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15
Q

what is the definition of a transverse wave?

A

ossilations are perpendicular to the direction of movement of the wave

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16
Q

what are examples of transverse and longitudinal waves?

A

transverse - water, EM, Mexican waves

longitudinal - Sound

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17
Q

what is polarisation?

A

process where transverse waves are made to oscillate in one plane only

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18
Q

how do you work out phase difference in rads?

A

2 π d / λ

19
Q

what are the values for something that is completly in phase?

A

1 cycle = 360° = 2π

20
Q

what are the values for something that is completely out of phase

A

1/2 cycle = 180° = π

21
Q

what is the definition of path difference?

A

the difference in distance travelled by 2 waves from their sources to the point where they meet

22
Q

when will there be constructive interference in path difference?

A

nλ

23
Q

when will there be destructive interference in path difference?

A

(n + 0.5) λ

24
Q

when are stationary waves formed?

A

when 2 progressive waves travel in opposite directions and superpose

25
Q

what are the three properties of stationary waves?

A
  • reflects between 2 fixed points
  • waves have the same amplitude
  • 2 waves travel in opposite direction
26
Q

what are antinodes?

A

points of max displacement

27
Q

what are nodes?

A

points of no displacement

28
Q

what do you get when two waves in phase superpose each other?

A

constructive interference

29
Q

what do you get when two waves out of phase superpose each other?

A

destructive interference

30
Q

what is the definition of a coherent wave?

A

waves with the same λ, same f and a constant phase difference

31
Q

what is the definition of a monochromatic light source

A

1 λ

32
Q

What is Total internal reflection (TIR) ?

A

full reflection occurs at the inside boundary of the material (optical fibre)

33
Q

what is the critical angle?

A

the angle where TIR occurs

34
Q

what is the refractive index of air?

A

1

35
Q

what is snells law?

A

n1 x sin θ1 = n2 x sin θ2

36
Q

what is observed when TIR happens?

A

all light is refracted

37
Q

what are the two rules needed for TIR to happen?

A

θi > θc

n1 > n2

38
Q

what do you observe in double slit vs single slits?

A

double - maxima and minima

single - maximum and mininmum

39
Q

what happens at the maxima?

A

constructive interference (waves are completely in phase)

40
Q

what happens at the minima?

A

destructive interference (waves are completely out of phase)

41
Q

how do you work out path difference in max + min points?

A

max : nλ

min: (n + 0.5) λ

42
Q

how do you find the max order?

A

d / λ

rounded down

43
Q

how do you work out line spacing?

A

1 / lines per m

44
Q

how do you derive d sinθ = nλ ?

A

SOHCAHTOA

sin θ = λ / d
d sin θ = λ
for the nth order:
d sin θ = λn

Physics (10 decks)

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