Waves Flashcards
What are longitudinal waves
Are oscillations that mice left to right, parallel to the direction of energy transfer. They show areas of compressions ad rarefactions
What are transverse waves
Transverse waves are oscillations that move up and down, perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer.
Examples of longitudinal waves
- sound waves
- seismic p waves
- ultrasound waves
Examples of transverse waves
- water ripples
- all of the waves on the electromagnetic spectrum
- seismic S waves
What are electromagnetic waves
They are waves which transfer radiation from the source of the waves to the absorber. they can travel through a vacuum, and travel through space at the same speed that they travel through the air
The electromagnetic spectrum
Lowest frequency = radio waves
- microwaves
- infrared waves
- visible light
- Ultraviolet waves
- X rays
Highest frequency = Gamma rays
What type of waves are electromagnetic waves
They are transverse
Formula for wave speed
Wave speed = frequency x wavelength
Frwuqajcne y is equal to
Frequency = velocity / wavelength
Speed is equal to
Speed = frequency x wavelength
What is the defection of wavelength
The distance from one of the wave to the small point on another wave. Eg where the waves begin to repeat themselves
What is frequency
The number of complete waves that pass thought a given
Amplitude
Half the distance from peak to trough
Wave speed
How quickly the wave travels from its source
Uses of radio waves
Communications, in phones, in radios
Uses of microwaves
In phones, for communication
Uses for infared waves
Used in remote controls, and electrical heaters
What are ultraviolet waves used for
Killing bacteria, suntanning
Uses of radio waves
Images inside body
Gamma waves
Dis infection and sterilisation
What happens to sound waves in water
In water, sound waves have the same frequency, increased speed and increased wavelength
If the frequency increases
The speed stays the same and the wavelength decreases
What type of waves are light
Transverse
How do ultrasound waves work, and why are they used more frequently than X-ray waves
Ultrasound waves work by sending waves through the body. The waves are then reflected back up. The longer it takes for the waves to be reflected back up, the thicker the tissue or organ is. The reason why ultrasound waves are used more frequently that X-ray waves us because X-ray waves can be dangerous to the human body, and X-rays only show bones. Not organs
