Waves Flashcards
Wave
A transfer of energy from one place to another - the particles aren’t moving, the energy is
Transverse wave
Particles vibrate at right angles to the wave’s direction of travel/ propagation
Longitudinal wave
Particles travel parallel to the wave’s direction of travel / propagation
Propagation
Direction of travel - the wave propagates towards xyz
Compression
Particles compressed together in a longitudinal wave
Rarefaction
Particles spread out in a longitudinal wave
Peak/Crest
The top of a transverse wave
Trough
The bottom of a transverse wave
Wavelength (λ)
The distance from peak to peak, trough to trough, or two middle sections (be careful when choosing this though! Make sure there is the equivalent of 1 peak and 1 trough in between)(the symbol is a lambda)
Amplitude
The height of a wave
Frequency (Hz)
Number of waves produced each second/how many pass a certain point each second
(Time) Period
Time taken for 1 whole wave to occur/pass a point in space
How does amplitude affect light?
Brightness
How does amplitude affect sound?
Volume
How does frequency/wavelength affect light?
Color/where it is on the electromagnetic spectrum
How does frequency/wavelength affect sound?
Pitch
Wave/wavespeed equation
v=fλ
Wave speed (m/s)=Frequency (Hz)xWavelength (m)
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v l ^ Which is the incident ray?
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._\l/______
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v l ^ Which is the reflected ray?
\ l /
._\l/______
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v l ^ Which line is the normal?
\ l /
._\l/______
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l
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v l ^ Which line is the mirror?
\ l / Which side of the mirror is reflective?
._\l/______
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Top side/ side without slashes is reflective, side with slashes is not reflective
\ l /
v l ^ Where is the angle of incidence
\ l / measured from?
._\l/______
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From the incident ray to the normal
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v l
\ l
\l
\ l /
v l ^ Which line is the angle of reflection
\ l / measured from?
._\l/______
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From the reflection ray to the normal
l /
l ^
l /
l/
What is the law of reflection for plane mirrors?
The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection
object ———–l\
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