Waves Flashcards
What are the two types of waves?
Transverse and longitudinal.
What do waves transfer and what do they not transfer?
They transfer energy and not matter.
Transverse wave.
Oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of the energy transfer. This can be demonstrated by a slinky spring up and down vertically-waves move horizontally. Ex water wave.
Longitudinal wave.
Oscillations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer.
This can be demonstrated by a moving slinky spring moving back and forward horizontally-waves also move horizontally.
Ex sound waves.
When waves reach a boundary between one medium and another what can they be?
Reflected, refracted, transmitted and absorbed.
What does the direction of refraction depend on?
-The angle at which the waves hit the boundary.
-The materials involved.
What is the refractive index?
For light rays the way in which a material affects refraction its called refractive index.
When light travels:
-From a material with a low refractive index to a highe one it bends towards the normal.
-From a material with a high refractive index to one with a lower refractive index, it bends away from the normal.
When a light wave enters, at an angle, a medium in which it travels slower:
-The first part of the light wave to enter the medium slows down.
-The rest of the wave continues at a higher speed.
-This causes the wave to change direction, towards the normal.
(RP) Investigate reflection and refraction.
1) Set up the equipment (lightbox, angles, normal and glass block).
2)Draw around the semi-circular block.
3) Mark the position of the light ray at the start at the end and where it enters/exits the block.
4) Remove the block and connect lines to show the light ray.
5) Add the normal and angles.
6) Repeat on a new paper for different angles.
7) Repeat with different materials.
Variables of RP investigate reflection and refraction.
IV= Angle of incidence.
DV = Angle of refraction.
CV= Material of block.
(RP) Identify the suitability of apparatus to measure the frequency, wavelength, and speed of waves in a ripple tank.
1) Time how long it takes one wave to travel the length of a tank. Use speed=Distance/time.
2) To find the frequency count the number of waves passing a fixed point in 10 seconds then divide by 10 to find 1 wave.
3) Estimate the wavelength by using s ruler to measure peal to peak distance as the waves travel
4) Use a stroboscope to make the same measurements and compare.
Because all waves obey the wave equation the speed and wavelength are directly proportional:
-Doubling the speed, doubles the wavelength.
-Halving the speed, halves the wavelength.
What is the normal hearing range for a human?
20Hz to 20KHz
What is the range of frequencies converted dependent on?
It is dependent on the structure of the object. Within the ear, sound waves cause the ear drum and other structures to vibrate and it is this vibration that is heard as a sound. Limited range of conversion limits humans hearing.
Are electromagnetic waves transverse or longitudinal?
Transverse.
Radio waves, microwaves and infrared waves. (uses and explanations).
Radio- TV, radio. Explanation- Low energy waves, not harmful.
Microwaves-Stelite communications, cooking food. Explanation- Travel in straight lines. Ideal for transmitting signals in orbit and back down to the receivers.
Infrared- Electrical heaters, infrared cameras. Explantion- Heater glows red as electricity flows through. Transmits infrared energy that’s absorbed by the food and converted back to food.
Visible light, ultraviolet waves. (uses and explanations).
Visible light-Fibre optic communications. Explantion-It travels down optical fibres from one end to the other without being lost.
UV Waves- Efficient light bulbs, sunbeds. Explantion-In light bulbs, UV waves are produced by gas in the bulb when excited by electric current. UV waves are absorbed by coating on the light bulb which fluoresces giving visible light.
X-rays and Gamma rays. (Uses and explanation).
X-ray-Medical imaging/treatments. Explantion-Can penetrate soft tissue no bones. Phtotgraphic plate behind will shadow where bones are.
Gamma rays-Sterlisng food and treatment of tumours.
Explantion-Most energetic. Can be used to destroy bacteria and tumours.
(RP) Investigate how the amount of infrared radiation absorbed/radiated by a surface depends on the nature of the surface.
1) Take 4 boiling tubes each painted a different colour.
2) Pour hot water into each tube.
3) Measure and record the start temp of each tube.
4) Measure temp of each tube every minute for 10 minutes..
5) The tube that cools the quickest emits infrared energy the quickest.
What are the variables for the RP: investigate the amount of infrared radiation..
IV=Colour of the boiling tube.
DV=The temperature.
CV=Volume of water, start temp and environmental conditions.
Radio signals.
-Can be caused by oscillations in electric circuits, ie an AC.
-Frequency of the radio wave produced matches the frequency of the electrical oscillation. This is how a signal is produced.
-When a wave is absorbed by a conductor they may create an AC with the same frequency as the wave, this is how the signal is received.
-When this oscillation is induced in an electrical circuit it creates an electrical signal that matches the wave.
Hazards of EM waves.
Ultraviolet waves can cause the skin to age prematurely and increase the risk of skin cancer.
-X-rays and gamma rays are ionising radiation-they can damage cells by ionising atoms and if absorbed by the nucleus of the cell can cause gene mutations and cancer.
A perfect black body:
-absorbs all of the infrared radiation incident on it.
-does not reflect or transmit any infrared radiation.
It is the best possible emitter.