Waves Flashcards
What is wavelength and give symbol
The distance from one peak to the next
symbol = λ
What is frequency and give symbol
How many complete waves there are per second (passing a certain point)
Measured in Hz
symbol = f
What is amplitude
The height of the wave (from rest to crest)
What is the Period and give symbol
The time it takes for one complete wave to pass a point
Symbol = T
Formula for wave speed
Speed = frequency × wavelength
Describe transverse waves
give example
• Vibrations are at right angles to the direction of the wave
• Have peaks and troughs
• Example = light
Describe longitudinal waves
give example
• Vibrations are in the same direction as the direction of travel
• Consists of compressions and rarefractions
• example = sound waves
Explain the Doppler Effect
• If a wave source moves towards an observer or away, there will be a change in the frequency and wavelength.
• This is because wavefronts either get bunched together or spaced apart.
State the seven types of electromagnetic waves (with increasing frequency and decreasing wavelength)
Radio waves
Microwaves
Infrared
Visible light
Ultraviolet
X-Rays
Gamma rays
List the different colors of visible light (from longest length and lowest frequency)
Red
Orange
Yellow
Green
Blue
Indigo
Violet
What are radio waves used for
Broadcasting and communications
What are microwaves used for
Cooking and satellite transmissions
What is infrared radiation used for
Heaters and night vision equipment
What is visible light used for
Optical fibres and photography
What are ultraviolet used for
fluorescent lamps
