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Harris Academy N5 Physics > Waves > Flashcards

Waves Flashcards

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1
Q

Give one use of X-rays.

A
  • medical X-ray scans
  • airport security scanners
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2
Q

What is meant by the period of a wave?

A

The period of a wave is the time taken for one wave to pass.

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3
Q

From the diagram shown, identify the amplitude of the wave.

A

D is the amplitude.

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4
Q

Give one application of microwaves.

A
  • cooking
  • mobile phone communications
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5
Q

State a detector of infrared radiation.

A
  • photodiode
  • phototransistor
  • thermistor
  • thermocouple
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6
Q

What does the prefix M stand for?

A

M stands for mega

mega = x 106

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7
Q

Which wave in the electromagnetic spectrum has the shortest wavelength?

A

Gamma rays have the shortest wavelength.

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8
Q

Give one application of radio waves.

A
  • Broadcasting
  • Satellite transmissions
  • Communications
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9
Q

From the diagram shown, identify the wavelength of the wave.

A

C is the wavelength.

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10
Q

What does the prefix µ stand for?

A

µ stands for micro

micro = x 10-6

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11
Q

Give one use of ultraviolet.

A
  • security marking
  • detecting forged bank notes
  • fluorescent lamps
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12
Q

What does the prefix m stand for?

A

m stands for milli

milli = x 10-3

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13
Q

What do all waves in the electromagnetic spectrum have in common?

A

All waves in the electromagnetic spectrum travel at the same speed (the speed of light).

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14
Q

Name the three quantities shown in this formula.

A

d = distance

v = speed

t = time

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15
Q

What is meant by diffraction?

A

Diffraction is the bending of waves around an obstacle.

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16
Q

In the diagram shown, what is the dotted line and what is important about where it is?

A

The dotted line is the normal.

The normal is at 90° to the surface of the medium.

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17
Q

What type of wave is a sound wave an example of?

A

A sound wave is an example of a longitudinal wave.

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18
Q

Name the three quantities shown in this formula.

A

v = speed

f = frequency

λ = wavelength

(λ is called ‘lambda’)

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19
Q

Name the seven different types of waves in the electromagnetic spectrum.

Try to list them from long λ (wavelength) to short λ.

A

Radio (long λ)

Microwaves

Infrared

Visible

Ultraviolet

X-rays

Gamma rays (short λ)

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20
Q

The diagram shows what would happen if waves of a short wavelength approach an obstacle.

What would be observed if the waves had a long wavelength?

A

Long wavelengths diffract more than short wavelengths.

Therefore the waves would bend around the obstacle more.

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21
Q

Give one use of visible light.

A
  • photography
  • illumination
    • car headlights
    • street lighting
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22
Q

What is the unit for frequency?

A

The unit for frequency is hertz (Hz)

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23
Q

What happens to the speed of a ray of light as it goes from glass into air?

A

As a ray of light goes from glass into air, its speed increases.

(the light speeds up in a medium which is less optically dense)

24
Q

What type of wave is a water wave an example of?

A

A water wave is an example of a transverse wave.

25
Q

What is the unit for speed?

A

The unit for speed is metres per second (ms-1)

26
Q

Give one use of infrared.

A
  • thermal imaging
  • remote controls
  • security systems
27
Q

What is the unit for time?

A

The unit for time is seconds (s)

28
Q

What is meant by the frequency of a wave?

A

Frequency is the number of waves per second.

29
Q

In the diagram shown, what do the symbols i and r represent?

A

i = angle of incidence

r = angle of refraction

30
Q

What is meant by refraction?

(in terms of waves)

A

Refraction is the change of speed (of a wave) caused by entering a different medium (e.g. air to glass).

During refraction, the wavelength changes, and sometimes the direction changes (depending on the angle at which the waves enter the material).

31
Q

A ray of light enters a block of glass (as shown). Describe the path of the ray of light after it enters the glass.

A

The ray of light will bend towards the normal as it enters the glass.

32
Q

Give one use of gamma rays.

A
  • sterilising food and medical equipment
  • treating cancer
  • medical tracers
33
Q

Which wave in the electromagnetic spectrum has the least energy?

A

Radio waves have the least energy.

34
Q

Which wave in the electromagnetic spectrum has the greatest energy?

A

Gamma rays have the greatest energy.

35
Q

What happens to the speed of a ray of light as it goes from air into glass?

A

As a ray of light goes from air into glass, its speed decreases.

(the light slows down in a medium which is more optically dense)

36
Q

How is the frequency of a wave in the e.m. spectrum related to its energy?

A

The higher the frequency of a wave in the e.m. spectrum, the more energy the wave has.

37
Q

What does the prefix n stand for?

A

n stands for nano

nano = x 10-9

38
Q

What type of wave are microwaves an example of?

A

Microwaves are an example of transverse waves.

39
Q

What does the prefix G stand for?

A

G stands for giga

giga = x 109

40
Q

What is being shown in this diagram?

A

This is diffraction - the bending of waves around an obstacle.

41
Q

What is meant by the wavelength of a wave?

A

Wavelength is the distance between a point on one wave and the same point on the next wave.

42
Q

What speed do all waves in the electromagnetic spectrum travel at?

A

All waves in the electromagnetic spectrum travel at the speed of light - 3 x 108 ms-1.

43
Q

A ray of light exits a block of glass (as shown). Describe the path of the ray of light after it exits the glass.

A

The ray of light bends away from the normal as it exits the glass.

44
Q

Describe what is meant by gamma radiation.

A
  • Gamma radiation is a wave in the electromagnetic spectrum
  • Gamma rays have no mass or charge
  • Gamma rays have a very short wavelength and a high frequency
45
Q

What is meant by the amplitude of a wave?

A

The amplitude of a wave is the height of the wave.

46
Q

Complete the following sentence:

All waves carry ……………

A

All waves carry energy.

47
Q

Does a ray of light always change direction when it undergoes refraction?

A

No - not always. A ray of light which enters a material at 90° to the surface will not change direction.

(e.g. middle ray in diagram)

48
Q

Name the two quantities shown in this formula.

A

T = period

f = frequency

49
Q

What is the unit for wavelength?

A

The unit for wavelength is metres (m)

50
Q

What does the prefix k stand for?

A

k stands for kilo

kilo = x 103

51
Q

State a detector of radio waves.

A

An aerial is used to detect radio waves.

52
Q

State one source of visible light.

A

Sources of visible light include:

  • the Sun
  • light bulbs
  • anything hot enough to glow
53
Q

Name an example of a longitudinal wave.

A

Sound waves are longitudinal waves.

54
Q

What is meant by the statement “A source of waves has a frequency of 16 Hz” ?

A

This means that there are

16 waves per second

generated by the source.

55
Q

What is the unit for period?

(period of a wave)

A

The unit for period is seconds (s)

56
Q

What is the unit for distance?

A

The unit for distance is metres (m)

57
Q

Which wave in the electromagnetic spectrum has the longest wavelength?

A

Radio waves have the longest wavelength.

Harris Academy N5 Physics (6 decks)

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