Waves Flashcards
Unit for angle
degree (°)
Unit for frequency
hertz (Hz)
Unit for wavelength
metre (m)
Unit for velocity
metre/second (m/s)
Unit for time
second (s)
Explain the movement of a longitudinal wave
Longitudinal waves is a wave that vibrates or oscillates at parallel to (along) the direction in which the wave is moving.
Explain the movement of a tranverse wave
Transverse waves is a wave that vibrates or oscillates at right angles (perpendicular) to the direction in which the wave is moving.
Explain the difference between a transverse wave and a longitudinal wave
A longitudinal wave has vibrations parallel to the direction of the wave meanwhile transverse waves has vibrations at right angles to the direction of the wave
Wavefront
A way of seeing waves from above
Amplitude
This is the distance from the midpoint to the peak of a wave
Wavelength
This is the distance between two corresponding points on the wave and is measured in metres
Frequency
This is how many waves pass by a point every second and is measured in Hertz (Hz)
Time period
The time it takes for one complete wave to pass a particular point
What can waves transfer?
Waves can transfer energy and information with out transferring matter
Give an example of a wave that transfers energy
Sun light, it transfers energy as it makes the earth warm without bringing any matter.
What is the relationship between the speed, frequency and wavelength of a wave: v = f × λ
Wave speed (v) = frequency (f) x wavelength (λ)
Give the units for the wave equation
Wave speed (m/s) = frequency (Hz) x Wavelength (m)
What is the relationship between frequency and time period: time period x frequency = 1 or f = 1/T
Time period(T) = 1 / frequency (f) Frequency (f) = 1 / time period (T) 1 = frequency (f) x time period (T)
Doppler effect
When an object is moving toward you the waves from the object compress and you hear this as a higher frequency. When an object is moving away from you the waves strech out and you hear this as a lower frequency. The greater the speed of the moving object the greater the change in frequency. The sound the leaves the speaker is always the same, it is only different to the observer
Properties of electromagnetic waves
Transfer energy
Are transverse waves
Travel at the speed of light in a vacuum
Can be reflected and refracted
Electromagnetic waves (from low to high frequency)
Radio waves Micro waves Infra red Visible light Ultra-violet X-rays Gamma rays
Uses of Radio waves
broadcasting and communications
Uses of Microwaves
cooking and satellite transmissions
Uses of infra red
remote controls and night vision equipment