Waves Flashcards
Define longitudinal waves
Consists of compressions
Vibrations are parallel to direction of wave travel
An example is sound
Explain the difference between longitudinal and transverse waves
Longitudinal waves have compressions (particles pushed together) and rarefactions (particles moved apart)
Transverse waves have peaks and troughs
In longitudinal waves, vibrations are parallel to the direction of wave travel
In transverse waves, vibrations are perpendicular to the direction of wave travel
Define transverse waves
Have peaks and troughs
Vibrations are perpendicular to direction of wave travel
An example is light
Define amplitude
Maximum displacement from equilibrium, measured in m
Define wave front
Crest to crest
Define wavelength
Distance between 2 consecutive crests
Define period of a wave
(Time period)
Time taken for 1 was to pass a point measured in s
Define frequency
Number of waves per second
Fill in the blank:
Waves transfer ______ and ___________ without transferring ______
Waves transfer energy and information without transferring matter
What is the relationship between the speed, frequency and wavelength of a wave
Very Fluffy Lamb
V = f(lamda)
Wave speed = frequency x wavelength
What is the relationship between frequency and time period?
Time period = 1/frequency
T = 1/f
Order the EM spectrum in order of decreasing wavelength and increasing frequency.
Radio
Micro
Infrared
Visible (ROYGBIV)
Ultraviolet
X-ray
Gamma
Order the EM spectrum in order of increasing wavelength and decreasing frequency
Gamma
X-ray
Ultraviolet
Visible (ROYGBIV)
Infrared
Micro
Radio
What are the uses of radio waves
Radio and TV communication
What are uses of microwaves
Cooking
Satellite transmissions
What are uses of infrared?
Heaters
Night vision equipment
What are uses of visible?
Fibre optics
Photography
What are uses of ultraviolet?
Fluorescent lamps (tanning beds)
What are uses of x-rays?
Medical imaging and security
What are uses of gamma?
Sterilising food and medical equipment
What are hazards of microwaves?
Can cause internal heating of body tissue
What are hazards of infrared?
Can cause skin burns
What are hazards of ultraviolet?
Increases the risk of skin cancer
Blindness (damage to the retina)
What are hazards of x-rays?
Can cause mutations
Leading to cancer
What are hazards of gamma?
Can cause mutations
Leading to cancer
How can you prevent the risks of ultraviolet light?
Sun cream
Sun glasses
Or just don’t go near it
How can you prevent the risks of x-rays?
Don’t have many x-rays
How can you prevent the risks of gamma?
Minimise exposure
