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Physics GCSE > Waves > Flashcards

Waves Flashcards

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1
Q

Define : Waves

A

Waves transfer ENERGY and INFORMATION without transferring matter

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2
Q

Define : Transverse wave

A

The direction of energy transfer is perpendicular to the vibrations
Eg. Wave on surface of ocean or electromagnetic wave

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3
Q

Define : Longitudinal wave

A

The direction of energy transfer is parallel to the vibrations
Eg sound wave or ultrasound

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4
Q

Wave speed =

A

Frequency x wave length

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5
Q

Define : Frequency

A

Number of waves made per second (Hz)

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6
Q

Define wavelength :

A

The distance from one peak to the next

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7
Q

Define amplitude :

A

The maximum displacement from the equilibrium

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8
Q

Define vibrations/oscillations :

A

Repeated movement back and forth

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9
Q

Define energy :

A

The ability to do work

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10
Q

Define ultrasound :

A

A sound with a frequency above 20,000 Hz

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11
Q

Echolocation (depth) equation :

A

Depth = 1/2 x speed of sound x time between sending and receiving signal

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12
Q

Depth =

A

1/2 x distance

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13
Q

Define infrasound :

A

A frequency lower than 20 Hz

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14
Q

What are the two types of seismic waves?

A

Primary (P) waves and Secondary (S) waves

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15
Q

What is the difference between the P & S waves?

A

P waves are faster
P waves are longitudinal
S waves are transverse
S waves are slower

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16
Q

What is the Pinna?

A

The visible portion of the outer ear

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17
Q

What does the Pinna do?

A

Collects the sound waves and channels them into the ear canal

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18
Q

What does the ear canal do?

A

Transports the sound down the canal towards the eardrum

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19
Q

What does the eardrum do?

A

The soundwaves cause the eardrum to vibrate and amplify the sound

20
Q

What are three types of Ossicles?

A

Hammer, Anvil, Stirrup

21
Q

What is the ear drum?

A

A flexible oval membrane at the end of the ear canal

22
Q

What do the Ossicles do?

A

Further amplify the sound

23
Q

What does the Eustachian tube do?

A

Responsible for equalising the pressure between the air outside the ear and the air within

24
Q

What do the oval & round window do?

A

Connects the middle ear to the inner ear

25
Q

What does the cochlea do?

A

The hair cells pick up vibrations in the fluid and turn it into electrical signals

26
Q

What is the cochlea?

A

It is filled with fluid that moves in response to the vibrations from the oval window and nerve endings are set in motion

27
Q

What are the semi-circular canals and what do they do?

A

Fluid filled tubes that help you keep balance

28
Q

What does the auditory nerve do?

A

Carries the electrical impulses up the nerve to the brain where the signals are interpreted so we can hear.

29
Q

What is an area of rarefaction?

A

Regions of low pressure due to particles being spread further apart.

30
Q

What is an area of compression?

A

Regions of high pressure due to particles being close together

31
Q

Wave frequency =

A

Number of vibrations / time taken

32
Q

How can a waves motion be changed in reflection?

A

Reflection happens when a wave hits a flat surface (plane) and bounces off.

33
Q

How can a waves motion be changed through refraction?

A

If the wave crosses to the new medium at an angle (not 90 degrees), the change in the wave’s speed will cause the direction of the wave’s motion to change and the wave will appear to bend

34
Q

Describe a feature of the cochlea

A

Organ of corti, stiff membrane etc

35
Q

Why can the human ear only frequencies in the range of 20Hz to 20000Hz ?

A

The hairs in the human cochlea have different lengths and vibrate at different frequencies of sound. (The range of frequencies that a person can hear depends on the range of lengths of hairs in the cochlea)

36
Q

Wave period =

A

1 / frequency

unit (s)

37
Q

Difference between p and s waves

A

P waves can’t travel through a vacuum
P waves are faster
P waves are longitudinal

38
Q

What states of matter can p waves travel through?

A

Solids liquids and gasses

39
Q

What states of matter can S waves travel through?

A

Solids and vacuum

40
Q

How can we tell that the earth has a liquid core

A

Because S waves are not detected on the other side of the earth so we can assume that the outer core is liquid as the S waves cannot travel through

41
Q

How can we tell that the inner core is solid and the outer core is liquid

A

Because the wave slows down due to the change in density so we can assume it is a solid

42
Q

Experiment for waves on water

A

Ripple tank
Adjust voltage on motor so the waves are evenly spread
Count the waves in a delegated time eg 10 seconds
Use a ruler to measure wave lengths
Calculate velocity from this info

43
Q

Give an example of a wave that transfers energy

A

Light

44
Q

Give an example of a wave that transfers information

A

Sound

45
Q

Does wavelngth change at a boundry

A

Yes

46
Q

Does wave speed change at a boundry

A

Yes

47
Q

Does frequency change at a boundry

A

No

Physics GCSE (17 decks)

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