P3.1 - Waves Flashcards

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1
Q

What is a wave? [2]

A

It transfers energy through a medium without the movement of matter

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2
Q

What do electromagnetic waves consist of? [2]

A

Oscillating electric and magnetic fields

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3
Q

What do mechanical waves do? [2]

A

They transfer energy through the oscillation of particles

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4
Q

What are the 2 types of waves? [2]

A
  1. Transverse
  2. Longitudinal
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5
Q

What are transverse waves? [2]

A

They oscillate in a direction which is perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer.

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6
Q

What are longitudinal waves? [2]

A

They oscillate in the same direction/ in a parallel motion as the energy transfer.

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7
Q

Examples of transverse waves. [2]

A
  • Light waves
  • Water waves
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8
Q

Examples of longitudinal waves.

A
  • Sound waves
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9
Q

What is the amplitude of a wave? [1]

A

How big the oscillation around the mean is.

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10
Q

What does it mean if the amplitude is higher in a wave, in terms of energy? [1]

A

The more energy it contains.

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11
Q

What does it mean if the amplitude is higher in a wave, in terms of sound? [1]

A

The sounds are louder.

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12
Q

What is the wavelength of a wave? [1]

A

The distance between a peak of a wave and the next peak or the trough and the next trough.

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13
Q

What does it mean if the wave has a low wavelength, in terms of energy? [1]

A

The higher energy it is

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14
Q

What is wavelength measure in? [1]

A

Metres, millimetres, micrometres or nanometres.

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15
Q

What is the frequency of a wave? [2]

A

The number of peaks or troughs that pass through a certain point each second.

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16
Q

Why do electromagnetic waves travel fastest in a vacuum? [1]

A

They do not need a medium to travel through.

17
Q

When do mechanical waves travel fastest? [1]

A

In dense medium

18
Q

What does it mean if the frequency is higher in a wave, in terms of energy? [1]

A

It has more energy.

19
Q

What is frequency measure in? [1]

A

Hertz, Hz

20
Q

What is the equation that relates frequency and wavelength? [1]

A

V = Fλ

21
Q

What is the symbol for wavelength? [1]

A

λ

22
Q

V = Fλ / Explain this equation.

A

Speed = Frequency x Wavelength

23
Q

What happens to the frequency if a wave changes medium? [1]

A

It stays the same.

24
Q

What happens to the wavelength if a wave changes medium? [1]

A

It changes.

25
Q

What is the speed of a wave description? [1]

A

How fast the wavefront travels outwards from the source.

26
Q

What is a time period? [1]

A

The time taken to complete one complete oscillation.

27
Q

What does frequency =? [1]

A

1/T(time period)

28
Q

What does time period =? [1]

A

1/F