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Waves Flashcards

(64 cards)

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1
Q

Transverse wave

A

Wave in which the oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of the energy transfer

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2
Q

Longitudinal wave

A

Wave in which the oscillations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer

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3
Q

Amplitude

A

The maximum displacement of a point on a wave away from its undisturbed position

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4
Q

Frequency

A

The number of waves passing a point each second. Often represented by ‘f’

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5
Q

Wavelength

A

The distance from a point on one wave to the equivalent point on the adjacent wave. Often represented by ‘λ’. Its unit is metres

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6
Q

Wave speed

A

The speed at which the energy is transferred (or the wave moves) through the medium

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7
Q

Specular reflection

A

Reflection from a smooth surface in a single direction

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8
Q

Diffuse reflection

A

Reflection from a rough surface causing scattering

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9
Q

Refraction

A

The change of direction of a wave as it passes across a boundary between two different media

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10
Q

Mechanical waves

A

Waves which require a substance (medium) to travel through

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11
Q

Electromagnetic waves

A

Waves that do not need a substance (medium) to travel through. They can travel through a vacuum.

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12
Q

Peak

A

The top part of a wave

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13
Q

Trough

A

The bottom part of a wave

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14
Q

Irradiation

A

Exposure of an object to ionising radiation

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15
Q

Compressions

A

Parts of a longitudinal wave which are squeezed together so that they have a higher density

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16
Q

Rarefractions

A

Parts of a longitudinal wave which are stretched or spread apart, so that they have a lower density.

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17
Q

Oscillation

A

Movement of a particle back and forth - another word for vibration

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18
Q

Parallel

A

In the same direction (0 degrees)

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19
Q

Perpendicular

A

At right angles (90 degrees)

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20
Q

Crests

A

Peaks of a transverse wave

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21
Q

Troughs

A

Bottom most parts of a transverse wave

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22
Q

Amplitude

A

The height of a wave crest or a wave trough of a transverse wave from the rest position. In a longitudinal wave, this is the maximum distance moved by an oscillating object from its equilibrium position

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23
Q

Hertz (Hz)

A

Unit of frequency

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24
Q

Kilohertz (Khz)

A

Another unit of frequency. 1 Khz = 1000 Hz

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25
Speed
How fast an object is travelling. Often represented by 'v'
26
Metres per second (m/s)
The unit of speed and velocity
27
Period
The time for one cycle of a wave, measured in seconds. Often represented by 'T'
28
Electromagnetic waves
Electric and magnetic disturbances that transfer energy from one place to another.
29
Electromagnetic spectrum
List of electromagnetic waves which shows the different types of electromagnetic waves as their wavelength changes
30
Vacuum
An area or space which is entirely empty and contains no matter
31
Radio waves
Electromagnetic waves with a wavelength longer than about 10 centimetres. These are electromagnetic waves with the lowest energy.
32
Microwaves
Electromagnetic waves with a wavelength between approximately 1mm and 10cm
33
Infrared radiation
Electromagnetic waves between visible light and microwaves in the electromagnetic spectrum
34
Visible light
Electromagnetic waves that can be seen by the human eye
35
Ultraviolet radiation
Electromagnetic waves between visible light and x-rays in the electromagnetic spectrum
36
X-rays
Electromagnetic waves between ultra violet and gamma rays in the electromagnetic spectrum. They are commonly used for medical imaging
37
Gamma radiation
Electromagnetic waves with the shortest wavelengths and the highest energy in the electromagnetic spectrum
38
Reflection
When a wave bounces off the surface of a substance
39
Absorbed
When a wave is taken in by a material
40
Transmitted
When a wave passes through a material
41
Boundary
The surface between one substance and another
42
Ray diagram
Diagram drawn to show the direction a wave travels in (usually drawn for light rays)
43
Normal
A line drawn at 90 degrees to a surface, at the point of incidence
44
Incident ray
A ray incoming towards a surface
45
Angle of incidence
Angle between the incident ray and the normal
46
Refracted ray
A ray bent at the boundary between two surfaces
47
Angle of refraction
Angle between the refracted ray and the normal
48
Wavefront
A surface which travels with a wave, and is perpendicular to the direction of the wave. (Eg. ripples on a ripple tank)
49
Medium
Another word for substance
50
Alternating current
An electric current which repeatedly reverses its direction
51
Radiation dose
A measure of the risk of harm from exposure of the body to radiation
52
Sievert (Sv)
The unit of radiation dose
53
Bluetooth
Short range radio wave connections which are used to transfer information
54
Satellite
An object in orbit around a planet. Around earth, some artificial satellites are used for microwave communications
55
Infrared camera
A device used to detect the amount of infrared radiation emitted by an object. The information is displayed as an image using different colours to represent different amounts of radiation.
56
Optical fibre
Thin glass fibre used to send signals
57
Sound waves
Waves that pass through a substance, causing vibrations
58
Human hearing range
The range of frequencies that an 'average' person can detect. The range for 'normal' hearing is 20 Hz to 20Khz
59
Ultrasound
A sound wave with a frequency higher than 20Khz (higher than the human hearing range)
60
Partial reflection
When only some of a set of waves are reflected at a boundary
61
Seismic waves
Waves produced by earthquakes
62
P-waves (or primary waves)
Longitudinal waves produced by an earthquake
63
S-waves (or secondary waves)
Transverse waves produced by an earthquake
64
Echo
The reflection of a sound wave

Physics (5 decks)

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