waves

Question 1

types of waves

Answer 1

1. mechanical: requires a medium
2. electromagnetic: do not require medium
3. Transverse + longitudinal: direction of particle motion relative to wave direction

Question 2

wave characteristics of transverse wave

Answer 2

wavelength: length from crest to consecutive crest
wave height: height from crest to trough
amplitude: half wave height, or height from normal to crest
period: the time it takes for one particle to complete one oscillation

Question 3

how to calculate frequency of transverse wave

Answer 3

find how long it takes for a particle to complete one oscillation, then divide that by num. of seconds
measured in Hz

Question 4

velocity of transverse wave

Answer 4

length of wave/time it takes to complete one oscillation
- v = f I
- where v = velocity, f = frequency, I = wavelength

Question 5

measurement of the speed of light

Answer 5

‘c’

Question 6

relationship between wavelength + frequency

Answer 6

c = fλ
- λ = wavelength

Question 7

law of reflection

Answer 7

angle of incidence = angle of reflection
- incident ray, reflected ray + normal lie on the same plane

Question 8

refraction meaning

Answer 8

the change in direction of wave propagation due to a change in the medium through which it travels

Question 9

absorption

Answer 9

occurs when a wave travels through a medium and some of the wav energy is transferred from the wave to the medium

Question 10

reflection meaning

Answer 10

is the change in direction of a wave at a boundary between two different media so that the wave returns to the medium from which it originated

Question 11

do short wavelengths or long wavelengths bend more

Answer 11

shorter wavelengths