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AS Physics > Waves > Flashcards

Waves Flashcards

1
Q

Wave meaning

A

a periodic disturbance travelling through space, characterised by a vibrating medium

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2
Q

Progressive wave meaning

A

a wave that carries energy from one place to another

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3
Q

Displacement meaning

A

the distance of a point on the wave from its undisturbed or equilibrium position

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4
Q

Amplitude meaning

A

the maximum displacement of a wave

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5
Q

Wavelength meaning

A

the distance between 2 adjacent points on a wave oscillating in step with eachother

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6
Q

Period meaning

A

the time taken for one complete oscillation of a point in a wave

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7
Q

Frequency meaning

A

the number of oscillations per unit time of a point in a wave

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8
Q

Longitudinal wave meaning

A

a wave in which the particles of the medium oscillate along in the direction in which the wave travels

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9
Q

Transverse wave meaning

A

a wave in which the particles of the medium oscillate at right angles to the direction in which the wave travels

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10
Q

Compression meaning

A

the point in a sound wave at which the air pressure is at maximum

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11
Q

Rarefaction meaning

A

a region in a sound wave where the air pressure is less than its mean value

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12
Q

Phase difference meaning

A

the fraction of a cycle between 2 oscillating particles, expressed in either degrees or radians

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13
Q

Phase difference calculation

A

∆Φ = [x / λ] * 180º or 2π

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14
Q

Intensity formula

A

intensity = power / area

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15
Q

Intensity equation

A

Intensity ∝ amplitude²

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16
Q

Intensity meaning

A

intensity is the rate of energy transmitted (power) per unit area at right angles to the wave velocity

17
Q

Wave speed formula

A

v = λf

v is speed in m/s
λ is wavelength in m
f is frequency in Hz

18
Q

Doppler effect meaning

A

the change in frequency or wavelength of a wave observed when the source of the wave observed when the source of the wave is moving towards or away from the observer (or the observer is moving relative to the source)

19
Q

Doppler effect formula

A

f’ = f(V𝓌 / V𝓌 ± Vₛ)

20
Q

Electromagnetic spectrum meaning

A

the family of waves that travel through a vacuum at a speed of 3.00 x 10⁸ ms⁻¹

21
Q

Magnetic field meaning

A

a force field in which a magnet, a wire carrying current or a moving charge experiences a force

22
Q

Electromagnetic wave meaning

A

a transverse wave travelling through space as vibrations of electric and magnetic fields

23
Q

Wavelength ranges of em waves

A 
radio 10⁴
micro 10⁻²
infrared 10⁻⁶
visible**
ultraviolet 4 x 10⁻⁸
x-ray 10⁻¹²
gamma-ray 10⁻¹⁶
    • red 7 x 10⁻⁷
    • violet 4 x 10⁻⁷
24
Q

Electric field meaning

A

a force a field in which an electric charged particle experiences a force

25
Q

Plane polarised meaning

A

describes a transverse wave with oscillation in just one plane, only transverse waves can be polarised

26
Q

Malus’ Law formula

A

I = I₀cos²θ

AS Physics (20 decks)

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