Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Core Physics > Waves > Flashcards

Waves Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
Physics 101 flashcards AP® Physics flashcards
1
Q

What is wavelength?

A

The length of a full cycle of a wave

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is amplitude?

A

The space from the middle line to the trough or crest

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is frequency?

A

The number of complete waves passing a certain point per second

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What are the two types of wave?

A

Transverse and longitudinal

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are transverse waves?

A

Waves that have sideways vibrations e.g. electromagnetic waves, ripples on water
l l l
l l l l l
l l l etc

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What direction are the waves in transverse waves?

A

Perpendicular (at 90 degrees) to the direction of energy transfer of the wave

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are longitudinal waves?

A

Waves that have vibrations along the same line e.g. sound waves, shock waves
l l l l lll l l l l l l lll l l l l l l l llll l l l l l l llll l l l l etc

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What direction are the waves in longitudinal waves?

A

Parallel to the direction of energy transfer of the wave

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are the units in the speed=frequency x wavelength?

A

m/s, Hz, m

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

How can waves be affected?

A

By reflection, refraction and diffraction

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is reflection?

A

When light bounces off an object and allows us to see it

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What allows you to see your reflection in a mirror and not a piece of paper?

A

The paper has a very uneven surface so the light reflects off at different angles. However, the mirror is very smooth and shiny, so the light just reflects straight off, allowing you to see your reflection

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is the law of reflection?

A

Angle of incidence = angle of reflection

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

How do you draw a ray diagram for an image in a plane mirror?

A
  1. Draw the virtual image behind the mirror the same size and the same distance from the mirror
  2. Then draw a ray from the top of the eye to the top of the virtual image (bold in front , dotted behind the mirror)
  3. Draw the incident ray from where the line touches the mirror to the top of the real object
  4. Do the same for the bottom ray
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is refraction?

A

When waves change direction as they go through an object due to them changing speed through different densities

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What happens when a wave refracts?

A

It hits an object and slows down, and if it hits it straight on at the normal, it won’t bend, but if it hits it at an angle, it will bend towards the normal, the bend away from the normal when it comes out

17
Q

What is diffraction?

A

When waves pass through a gap and spread out

18
Q

How does the size of the gap affect diffraction?

A

When the gap equals the wavelength, there is the maximum diffraction, if the gap is much wider, there is very little diffraction, and if the gap is only a little bit wider, it will slightly diffract

19
Q

What is the electromagnetic spectrum?

A

A continuous spectrum of electromagnetic waves

20
Q

What are the waves in the EM spectrum?

A

Radio Microwaves Infrared Visable Ultra-violet X-rays Gamma

21
Q

What are the wavelengths in the EM spectrum?

A

From about 10(-15)m to 10(4)m

22
Q

What speed do EM waves travel at?

A

The speed of light (3 x 10(8) m/s)

23
Q

What are radiowaves used for?

A

Communication, because the shorter waves reflect off the ionosphere and the longer waves diffract around the earth

24
Q

What are microwaves used for?

A

Satellite communication and mobile phones, as they can pass through the ionosphere to reach satellites, which transmit the signal back to earth, and for heating food as they are the right wavelength to pass through water molecules and heat them up

25
Q

What is infrared used for?

A

Remote controls and optical fibres as they can carry data over long distances by emitting different patterns of infrared to send different commands

26
Q

What is visible light used for?

A

Apart from seeing, visible light is used for photography, as the lens focuses visible light onto a sensor which creates a picture

27
Q

How do we hear sound?

A

The waves travel to our ear and eventually reach the eardrum

28
Q

Why can’t sound travel in space but light can?

A

Because sound needs particles to travel but light doesn’t

29
Q

Why can you hear around a corner but not see?

A

Because light waves can only be reflected, so they can’t go around corners, but sound rays can be reflected and diffracted, so they can diffract around corners

30
Q

What is a high frequency?

A

A high pitch with short wavelengths

31
Q

What is a high amplitude?

A

A loud sound

Core Physics (5 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions