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Physics > Waves > Flashcards

Waves Flashcards

1
Q

What is a progressive wave?

A

An oscillation that travels whilst transferring energy from one place to another without moving matter

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2
Q

Explain the movement of particles when a wave passes through it.

A

Displaced from equilibrium position to new position - displaces near-by particles - these exert restoring force that moves origional particle to equilibrium

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3
Q

What direction of partilces move in transverse waves?

A

Perpendicular

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4
Q

Describe properties of transverse and logitudinal waves.

A

Trasverse - Energy is perpendicular, peaks and troughs
Logitudinal - Energy is parallel, refractions and compressions

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5
Q

What is the definition of displacement?

A

Distance in a direction. (m)

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6
Q

What is the defintion of amplitude?

A

The max displacement of the wave. (m)

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7
Q

What is the defintion of wavelength?

A

The minimum distance betweem adjacent in-phase points. (m)

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8
Q

What is the definition of period of oscillation?

A

Time taken to complete one oscillation. (s)

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9
Q

What is the definition of frequency?

A

The number of oscillations that pass through a certain point per time. (Hz)

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10
Q

What is the definition of wave speed?

A

The distance travelled by a wave per time. (m/s)

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11
Q

What graph represents a wave profile? What can you find with one?

A

Displacement-distance graph.
Ampitude and wavelength

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12
Q

What properties can you find with a displacement-time graph?

A

Period and amplitude.

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13
Q

What is the defintion of phase difference?

A

The difference in displacements of partciles along a wave.

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14
Q

If two partciles have zero phase difference, what are the points known as?

A

In-phase

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15
Q

How much of a wavelength is 2pie radians?

A

Whole wavelength.

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16
Q

If particles are in antiphase what does this mean?

A

Particles are in opposite oscillating patterns.

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17
Q

Draw a displacement-distance and displacement-time graph to remind yourself.

A

Check online

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18
Q

What happens when a wave relfects?

A

Wave changes direction at a boundary of two media, remaining in the original one.

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19
Q

What is the Law of Reflection?

A

Angle of incidence = Angle of reflection

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20
Q

How do we represent wave movements? How are the rays drawn?

A

Using wavefronts (peak of each wave).
Rays are drawn perpendicular.

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21
Q

What else happens when a wave refracts?

A

Partial reflection.

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22
Q

If the wave slows down, what way does the wave refract?

A

Refracts towards the normal

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23
Q

Does refraction affect frequency?

A

No

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24
Q

Does refraction affect wavelength?

A

Yes, as speed changes

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25
Q

What happens when a wave enters deep water?

A

Wave speeds up, refract away from normal, wavelength increases.

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26
Q

Name what these symbols stand for.
n,c,v

A

n = refractive index
c = speed of light in vacuum
v = speed of light in medium

27
Q

What is snell’s Law?

A

n1sin1 = n2sin2

28
Q

Where is the refractive index 1?

A

Air and vacuum.

29
Q

Why cant light microscopes go into too much detail?

A

Light diffracts so smaller components cannot be seen

30
Q

What is diffraction? What properties does it effect?

A

When a wave passes through a gap or around an object.
None. Speed, wavelength, frequency remain the same.

31
Q

When is diffraction the greatest?

A

When the size of the gap or object is similar to the wavelength.

32
Q

What is the reflection of sound waves?

A

Echos

33
Q

What does it mean if a wave is polarised?

A

Particles oscillate on the plane of oscillation, in one direction only.

34
Q

What does plane polarised mean?

A

A wave that has been polarised.

35
Q

If ploarising filters are at 90 degrees….?

A

Stops all waves from passing through.

36
Q

Are all waves polarised?

A

No. Natual waves are usually not polarised.

37
Q

Why can longitudinal waves be plane polarised?

A

The oscillations are parallel. ??

38
Q

What does it mean if a wave is partially polarised and when can this happen?

A

Most poarticles are oscillating in one plane, but few in others.
When reflecting off a surface.

39
Q

Give one use of polarising filters?

A

Sunglasses to stop glare frm surfaces such as lakes.

40
Q

What happens to intensity as a wave progresses?

A

Decreases.

41
Q

How does power spread as a wave progresses?

A

Uniformly in all directions. Sphere.

42
Q

What is intensity directly and
inversely proportional to?

A

amplitude squared
area

43
Q

What formula means that if we double the amplitude, the intensity will quadruple?

A

Intensity = (amplitude)^2

44
Q

Explain what happens to kinetic energy when we drop smth in water.

A

Half amplitude, half speed, quator kinetic energy

45
Q

How fast do EM waves travel?

A

Speed of light in a vacuum.

46
Q

What EM waves do and dont ionise?

A

DO NOT - radiowaves, microwaves, infrared and visible light
DO - ultraviolet, x-rays, gamma

47
Q

Why cant all EM waves realise ionising radiation?

A

Not enough photon energy to remove electrons frm their shells ??

48
Q

Explain 3 types of ultraviolet light

A

WRITEEEEE

49
Q

What is the refractive Index for refractive glass?

A

1.5

50
Q

Why do diamond sparkle? What is its refractive index?

A

Total Internal Reflection. One of the highest refractive index of all natural materials.

51
Q

What are the conditions for TIR?

A
  1. n1 > n2
  2. Incident angle > critical angle
52
Q

What is the critical angle?

A

The angle and which the refracted angle is at 90 degrees.

53
Q

The greater the refractive index…?

A

the lower the critical angle

54
Q

State and explain the expression for TIR.

A

n1sin1 = n2sin2
n1sinC = n2sin90
n1sinC = n2
SinC = n2/n1

55
Q

By using TIR, how can we find the refractive index of a media?

A

Find the critical angle, know one of the refractive index and use formula.

56
Q

List the EM waves in order.

A

Radio, Microwave, Infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, x-rays, gamma rays.

57
Q

Give all info on radiowaves.

A

Check

58
Q

Give all info on Microwaves.

A

Check

59
Q

Give all info on visible light.

A

Check

60
Q

Give all info on ultraviolet.

A

Check

61
Q

Give all info on gamma rays.

A

Check

62
Q

Give all info on gamma rays.

A

Check

63
Q

If a wave is entering a medium of lower refractive index, where does it refract?

A

Wave speeds up, refract away from normal.
Inverse proportion from n =c/v

Physics (7 decks)

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