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Physics > Waves > Flashcards

Waves Flashcards

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1
Q

refraction

A

the change in direction of a wave,
when passing from one medium to another due
to a change in speed of the wave

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2
Q

why does refraction occur

A
  • light waves slow down when entering a more optically dense medium
  • leading edge of a wave hits the boundary and slows down
  • trailing edge of the wave still travels at the same speed
  • the front changes direction
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3
Q

snell’s law

A

sin(angle of incidence) / sin(angle of refraction)
to find refractive index

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4
Q

what affects a material’s ability to refract light

A

optical density and refractive index

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5
Q

when does light reflect off of the boundary rather than refracting through it

A
  • when the angle of incidence is greater than the critical angle
  • when passing from a more optically dense medium to a less optically dense medium
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6
Q

what happens if the angle of incidence is equal to the critical angle

A
  • the ray of light will refract along the boundary
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7
Q

what is the critical angle

A

smallest angle of incidence that Total Internal Reflection can occur

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8
Q

total internal reflection

A
  • angle of incidence > critical angle
  • all light is internally reflected
  • core is more optically dense than air
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9
Q

sin(critical angle) =

A

1 / n

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10
Q

uses of total internal reflection

A
  • endoscopies
  • communication (higher bandwidth)
  • periscope
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11
Q

when can light refract out of a material

A

if it hits less than the critical angle

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12
Q

transverse waves

A

vibrations move perpendicular to the wave
light waves

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13
Q

what is a wave

A

transfer of energy without the total transfer of matter

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14
Q

longitudinal waves

A

vibrations move parallel to the wave
sound waves

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15
Q

wavelength

A

length of an entire wave from one point on the wave to the next identical point on the wave

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16
Q

amplitude

A

distance from the middle point to the high point of a wave

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17
Q

peak

A

very top of the wave

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18
Q

trough

A

very bottom of the wave

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19
Q

displacement

A

how far above or below the equilibrium
point a point on a wave is

20
Q

higher pitched noises

A

have shorter wavelengths

21
Q

louder noises

A

have taller amplitudes

22
Q

relationship between tension and frequency

A

increasing the tension (on a string) increases the frequency (higher pitch)

23
Q

the doppler effect

A

the change in the frequency of a wave in relation to an observer

24
Q

change in wavelength / reference wavelength

A

velocity of object / speed of wave

25
Q

wavelength further away from observer

A

longer

26
Q

frequency of shorter wavelenths

A

higher frequency

27
Q

Why are different colours of light different

A

each colour has a different wavelength
red longest
violet shortest

28
Q

How did scientists find out about invisible types of
wave

A

light passed theough a glass prysm - Dark side of the moon

29
Q

frequency of colours

A

violet - highest
red - lowest

30
Q

what colour carries more energy

A

violet

31
Q

electromagnetic spectrum

A

LONGEST WL
* * radiowaves
* * microwaves
* * infrared
* * visible light
* * ultraviolet
* * x-rays
* * gamma rays
SHORTEST WL

32
Q

uses of radiowaves

A

for communication, broadcast of television and radio, satellite transmissions

33
Q

uses of microwaves

A

communication links, wireless networks, microwave radio relay networks, radar, satellite and spacecraft communication

34
Q

uses of infrared waves

A

electrical heaters, cookers, short-range communications (remotes), security systems, thermal imaging cameras

35
Q

uses of visible light waves

A

photography and illumination

36
Q

uses of ultraviolet waves

A

sunbeds

37
Q

uses of x-ray waves

A

detects bone fractures, certain tumors, other abnormal masses

38
Q

uses of gamma rays

A

medicine, industry (sterilization and disinfection), the nuclear industry

39
Q

dangers of ultraviolet, x and gamma rays

A

they can damage/kill cells within the body

40
Q

properties of x-ray waves

A
  • have a shorter wavelength
  • capture defects in skeleton
  • travel in a straight line - do not carry an electric charge
  • can travel in a vacuum.
41
Q

ultrasound

A

sound waves with a frequency higher than 20,000Hz - higher than the human range

42
Q

uses of ultrasound

A
  • pest control
  • view the uterus during pregnancy
  • physiotherapy
43
Q

period

A

time taken for one full oscillation

44
Q

frequency =

A

1 / period

45
Q

how can sound waves be represented

A

using an oscilloscope

Physics (7 decks)

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