Waves 4.1 - 4.2 Flashcards
Waves that pass through a substance are
Vibrations that pass through a substance
Waves that pass through a substance are often referred to as
Mechanical waves
Electromagnetic waves are
Unlike mechanical waves
Oscillating electric and magnetic fields that progress through space without need for a substance
Electromagnetic waves include
R m i l u x g
Radio waves Micro waves Infrared radiation Light Ultraviolet radiation X rays Gamma radiation
Longitudinal waves are waves in which the direction of vibration of the particles is
Parallel to (along) the line in which the wave travels
Longitudinal waves include
Sound waves, primary seismic waves, compression waves on a slinky toy
For longitudinal waves, ‘forward’ movement causes a - wave
Reverse movement causes the coil to move apart so - (expansion) wave passes along slinky
Compression
Rarefaction
Transverse waves are waves in which the direction of vibration is
Perpendicular to the direction in which the wave travels
Transverse waves are - if the vibrations stay in one plane only
Plane polarised
If the vibrations change from one plane to another, the waves are
Unpolarised
Longitudinal waves cannot be
Polarised
The plane of polarisation of an electromagnetic wave is defined as
The plane in which the electric field oscillates
The displacement of a vibrating particle is its distance and direction
From its equilibrium position
The amplitude of a wave is the maximum displacement of
A vibrating particle
The wavelength of a wave is
The least distance between two adjacent vibrating particles with the same displacement and velocity at the same time
(Distance between adjacent crests )