Waves Flashcards
What is wavelength
This is the distance from one point in a wave to the corresponding point on the next wave
What is amplitude
The height of a wave from the middle to the top (or middle to the bottom).
What is frequency
The number of waves per second
What is the period
The time taken for one complete wave to pass a point
What is wave speed
Distance traveled by wave in one second
What are the 2 types of waves?
Transverse waves and longitudinal waves
How do transverse waves move?
The particles move at right angles to the direction of energy travel
How do longitudinal waves move?
The particles move parallel to the direction of energy travel
What waves are transverse?
Water and all the waves on the electromagnetic spectrum are transverse waves
What waves are longitudinal?
Sound waves are longitudinal waves
What is the formula for frequency?
f=N/t
What is the formula for the period?
T=1/f
What is the formula for the Wave equation?
v=f λ
What is the formula for speed, distance and time?
V=d/t d=v/t
What is the symbol and unit for wavelength?
Symbol- λ
Unit- Metre (m)
What is the unit for amplitude?
Unit- metre (m)
What is the symbol and unit for frequency?
Symbol- f
Unit- Hertz (Hz)
What is the symbol and unit for the period?
Symbol- T
Unit- second (s)
What is the symbol and unit for wave speed?
Symbol- v
Unit- Metres per second (ms^-1)
When does diffraction occur?
Diffraction occurs when waves pass through a gap or around an object
True or false: Short wavelengths diffract more that long wavelengths
False: long wavelengths diffract more than short wavelengths
What happens if the gap is less than a wavelength?
Circular wavefronts are produced
What happens if the gap is greater than a wavelength?
If the gap is greater than a wavelength then only the ends of the waves show diffraction
What do all the parts of the electromagnetic spectrum travel at?
The speed of light
What are the parts of the electromagnetic spectrum?
Radio, microwave, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, x-ray, gamma ray
Electromagnetic spectrum- What has the highest frequency?
Gamma radiation
What is refraction of light?
When light passes from one medium to another its speed and wavelength changes. The direction of the ray may also change.
What happens when light enters a block at a right angle?
The light will pass straight through it
What happens when light passes through a block at an angle?
The light appears to bend
Refraction of light- what is the normal?
The normal is a reference line, drawn at right angles to the surface where the incident ray touches it.
What happens when light passes through a semicircular block on the curve side?
The light travels along the normal. The light is refracted when it leaves the block as long as the angle of the incident is below a certain value for that material
What happens when light passes through a triangular prism?
When light passes through a prism it will change direction as it enters and as it leaves the block due to refraction.
What is <i ?
<i= angle of incidence
What is <r ?
<r= angle of refraction
