Wave Behaviour Flashcards

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1
Q

State the equation used to calculate wave speed.

Give appropriate units.

A

Wave Speed = Frequency x Wavelength

Speed (m/s), Frequency (Hz),
Wavelength (m)

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2
Q

What word is used to describe when a

wave bounces off a surface?

A

Reflection

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3
Q

What is the normal (in terms of reflection and

refraction)?

A

Avertical imaginary line which is

perpendicular to the boundary

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4
Q

What occurs when light is reflected off a

boundary?

A

It bounces off a smooth flat surface so
that the angle of incidence (the angle it
comes in at) is the same as the angle of
reflection (the angle it leaves at)

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5
Q

What is refraction?

A
Refraction is the change in speed of a 
wave as it reaches a boundary between 
two media, usually resulting in a change 
in direction (if it enters at an angle)
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6
Q

What occurs when light is refracted at a boundary?

A

● The light changes speed and direction in the new
medium
● If the new medium is more dense, the light will
travel slower and bend towards the normal
● If the new medium is less dense, the light will
travel faster and bend away from the normal

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7
Q

When entering a denser material, light

waves…

A

…slow down and bend towards the

normal.

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8
Q

When entering a less dense material,

light waves…

A

…speed up and bend away from the

normal.

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9
Q

How can refraction be measured?

A

The angle of incidence, i, and angle of
refraction, r, can be measured and
compared. All angles are measured
relative to the normal.

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10
Q

What are the effects of absorption of different

wavelengths of waves in different mediums?

A
● Some materials behave 
differently depending on the
wavelength
● An example is glass which will transmit 
visible light, but reflect UV light
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11
Q

How do sound waves travel through a solid?

A

The particles in the solid vibrate and
transfer kinetic energy through the
material.

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