Waves Flashcards

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1
Q

Define longitudinal waves

A

Consists of compressions
Vibrations are parallel to direction of wave travel
An example is sound

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1
Q

Explain the difference between longitudinal and transverse waves

A

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

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2
Q

Define transverse waves

A

Have peaks and troughs
Vibrations are perpendicular to direction of wave travel
An example is light

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3
Q

Define amplitude

A

Maximum displacement from equilibrium, measured in m

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4
Q

Define wave front

A

Crest to crest

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5
Q

Define wavelength

A

Distance between 2 consecutive crests

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6
Q

Define period of a wave

A

(Time period)
Time taken for 1 was to pass a point measured in s

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7
Q

Define frequency

A

Number of waves per second

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8
Q

Fill in the blank:
Waves transfer ______ and ___________ without transferring ______

A

Waves transfer energy and information without transferring matter

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9
Q

What is the relationship between the speed, frequency and wavelength of a wave

A

Very Fluffy Lamb
V = f(lamda)
Wave speed = frequency x wavelength

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10
Q

What is the relationship between frequency and time period?

A

Time period = 1/frequency
T = 1/f

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11
Q

Order the EM spectrum in order of decreasing wavelength and increasing frequency.

A

Radio
Micro
Infrared
Visible (ROYGBIV)
Ultraviolet
X-ray
Gamma

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12
Q

Order the EM spectrum in order of increasing wavelength and decreasing frequency

A

Gamma
X-ray
Ultraviolet
Visible (ROYGBIV)
Infrared
Micro
Radio

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13
Q

What are the uses of radio waves

A

Radio and TV communication

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14
Q

What are uses of microwaves

A

Cooking
Satellite transmissions

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15
Q

What are uses of infrared?

A

Heaters
Night vision equipment

16
Q

What are uses of visible?

A

Fibre optics
Photography

17
Q

What are uses of ultraviolet?

A

Fluorescent lamps (tanning beds)

18
Q

What are uses of x-rays?

A

Medical imaging and security

19
Q

What are uses of gamma?

A

Sterilising food and medical equipment

20
Q

What are hazards of microwaves?

A

Can cause internal heating of body tissue

21
Q

What are hazards of infrared?

A

Can cause skin burns

22
Q

What are hazards of ultraviolet?

A

Increases the risk of skin cancer
Blindness (damage to the retina)

23
Q

What are hazards of x-rays?

A

Can cause mutations
Leading to cancer

24
Q

What are hazards of gamma?

A

Can cause mutations
Leading to cancer

25
Q

How can you prevent the risks of ultraviolet light?

A

Sun cream
Sun glasses
Or just don’t go near it

26
Q

How can you prevent the risks of x-rays?

A

Don’t have many x-rays

27
Q

How can you prevent the risks of gamma?

A

Minimise exposure