Waves Flashcards
What is a transverse wave?
Oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of travel
What is a longitudinal wave?
Oscillations are parallel to the direction of travel
What is amplitude?
Maximum displacement from the normal position
What is frequency?
Number of waves per second
What is wavelength?
Distance from crest to next crest
What is Time Period?
Time for wave to complete one oscillation
Equation: Wave speed v =
v = frequency x wavelength
Equation: Frequency f =
f = 1/time period
f = 1/T
Give an example of a longitudinal wave.
Sound
Give an example of a transverse wave.
Electromagnetic spectrum
Water waves
What is the Doppler effect?
When the source of a wave moves towards the observer, observed frequency increases.
When a source moves away, observed frequency decreases.
What do all waves do?
Transfer energy and information without transferring matter.
List the electromagnetic spectrum in order of decreasing wavelength and increasing frequency.
Radio
Microwaves
Infra Red
Visible Light (ROYGBIV)
Ultra violet
X Rays
Gamma rays
Give a use and hazard of gamma rays?
use: sterilising food and medical equipment
hazard: cancer and cell mutations
Give a use and hazard of X rays?
use: observing internal structures like bones
hazards: cancer and cell mutations
Give a use and hazard of ultra violet.
use: fluorescent lamps, tanning lamps, checking counterfeit money
hazards: damage tovsurface cells of the skin and blindness