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A Level Physics > Waves > Flashcards

Waves Flashcards

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1
Q

What is a progressive wave?

A

an oscillation that travels through space transmitting energy from one place to another

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2
Q

In what direction are the oscillations to the direction of energy transfer in transverse waves?

A

perpendicular

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3
Q

In what direction are the oscillations to the direction of energy transfer in longitudinal waves?

A

parallel

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4
Q

Define displacement:

A

the distance from the equilibrium position in a particular direction

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5
Q

Define amplitude:

A

the maximum displacement of a wave

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6
Q

Define wavelength:

A

the distance between 2 adjacent points on a wave that are oscillating in phase

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7
Q

Define period:

A

the time taken for the wave to move a distance of one whole wavelength

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8
Q

Define frequency:

A

the number of wavelengths passing through a point per unit time

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9
Q

Define wave speed:

A

distance travelled by wave per unit time

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10
Q

What is the relationship between period and frequency?

A

f=(1/T)

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11
Q

What is phase difference?

A

the fraction of an oscillation between two oscillating particles

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12
Q

What is the phase difference of 1 wavelength?

A

2π

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13
Q

When does reflection occur?

A

when a wave changes direction at a boundary between two different media, remaining in the original medium

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14
Q

When does refraction occur?

A

when a wave changes direction as it changes speed when it passes from one medium to another

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15
Q

What is diffraction?

A

the spreading of a wave when it passes through a narrow gap or around an obstacle

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16
Q

Within reflection what are the incident and reflected waves always in the same?

A

plane

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17
Q

Within reflection what things are equal to each other?

A

angle of incidence and reflection

18
Q

Within refraction what remains constant?

A

frequency of the refracted waves

19
Q

What changes within refraction?

A

the speed and therefore wavelength of the refracted wave

20
Q

What does not change within diffraction?

A

speed, wavelength and frequency

21
Q

When is there significant diffraction?

A

width of the gap is similar to the wavelength of the incident wave

22
Q

Where does a plane polarised wave oscillate?

A

in one plane only

23
Q

How can you plane polarise light?

A

pass it through a polarised filter

24
Q

Define intensity:

A

the radiant power passing at right angles through a surface per unit area

25
Q

Why does intensity from a point source of power P decrease with distance from the source?

A

the power spreads over a larger surface area

26
Q

What is intensity directly proportional to?

A

amplitude squared

27
Q

Which type of EM waves have the shortest wavelength?

A

gamma waves

28
Q

Which type of EM waves have the longest wavelength?

A

radio waves

29
Q

What can all EM waves travel through?

A

a vacuum

30
Q

What is the speed of EM waves?

A

3 x 10^8

31
Q

What type of wave are EM waves?

A

transverse

32
Q

What do all EM waves consist of?

A

oscillating magnetic and electric fields at right angles to each other

33
Q

How do you produce plane polarised waves with the electric field oscillating in the vertical plane?

A

pass microwaves from a microwaves transmitter through a metal grill towards a microwave receiver

34
Q

When polarising microwaves what happens when the metal grille is horizontal?

A

vertical plane polarised waves are transmitted through

35
Q

When polarising microwaves what happens when the metal grille is vertical?

A

vertically plane polarised waves are absorbed by the free electrons within the metal rods of the grille therefore there is almost no transmission

36
Q

Define refractive index:

A

speed of light in a vacuum divided by the speed of light in the material (c/v)

37
Q

What is the law of refraction?

A

n1sin1=n2sin2

38
Q

When is there no refraction?

A

when total internal refraction of the light occurs at the boundary between 2 transparent materials

39
Q

What happens when there is no refraction due to total internal reflection?

A

all energy of the wave is returned back into the material

40
Q

When does total internal reflection take place?

A
  • light in the material travels towards a material with lower refractive index
  • angle of incidence is greater than the critical angle
41
Q

When does a critical angle occur?

A

when the angle of refraction is 90 degrees

A Level Physics (22 decks)

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