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Waves Flashcards

(63 cards)

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1
Q

Define a mechanical wave

A

Involves motion of matter through vibrations of particles, ex sound waves, s & p waves

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2
Q

Define an electromagnetic wave

A

Vibrating electric and magnetic fields that can travel through a vacuum

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3
Q

What is energy proportional to?

A

Frequency

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4
Q

Define progressive waves

A

Waves that move outward from their source

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5
Q

Give another name for progressive waves

A

Travelling waves

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6
Q

What does the distance between two peaks represent on a displacement-distance graph?

A

Wavelength

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7
Q

What does the distance between two peaks represent on a displacement-time graph represent?

A

The time period

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8
Q

Define amplitude

A

The maximum displacement of the wave or medium from the equilibrium position

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9
Q

Define wavelength

A

The horizontal distance between two crests or two troughs

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10
Q

Define time period

A

The time taken for a wave peak to travel the distance of one wavelength

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11
Q

Define frequency

A

The number of waves passing a point per unit time.

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12
Q

Give the unit of frequency

A

S to the -1 (‘per second’)

This is more commonly called Hz (Hertz)

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13
Q

Give the symbol for radians in physics

A

rad

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14
Q

Define two waves that are in phase

A

They are always in the same place on the wave cycle

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15
Q

Define two waves in antiphase

A

They are 180 degrees apart; they have an exactly opposite pattern of oscillation

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16
Q

Define longitudinal waves

A

Each particles oscillates parallel to the direction of energy transfer. There is no vertical movement.

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17
Q

Define transverse waves

A

Each particles oscillates perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer. There is no horizontal movement.

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18
Q

Are S waves longitudinal or transverse?

A

Transverse

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19
Q

Are water waves longitudinal or transverse?

A

Transverse

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20
Q

Are p waves longitudinal or transverse?

A

Longitudinal

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21
Q

Is it rarefraction or rarefaction?

A

Rarefaction!

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22
Q

What is significant about the speed of electromagnetic waves in a vacuum?

A

They’re all the same speed

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23
Q

Which type of wave can be polarised?

A

Transverse waves

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24
Q

Define polarised

A

All oscillations are in one plane

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25
Define unpolarised
Oscillations are in all planes
26
What are the methods got polarising visible light?
A polarising filter Reflection Scattering
27
Which ray is polarised when light hits a transparent object (such as glass or water)?
The reflected Ray
28
What is significant about polarisation through reflection?
The light will only be partially polarised. At an angle specific to the material the light will all be polarised
29
What is the axis of transmission?
The plane the electric field is oscillating in after polarisation
30
How is polarisation used in stress analysis?
In transparent plastics, areas of high stress polarise light in different directions to areas of low stress
31
Give two uses of polarisers
Polaroid material | Aerials for transmission and reception
32
Define superposition
When two or more waves of the same type meet at a point, the resultant displacement of the oscillations will be the vector sum of the individual displacements.
33
Define constructive interference
If both waves have the same sign displacement at the point of overlap (ie both negative or both positive)
34
Define destructive interference
If one wave has a positive displacement and the other has a negative displacement at the point of overlap
35
Give another name for standing waves
Stationary waves
36
Explain standing waves
The superposition of 2 progressive waves travelling in opposite directions can produce a standing wave. The waves should be the same type, and have the same amplitude and frequency
37
What happens at a node?
At a node on a standing wave no oscillations occur; the ends are fixed
38
What happens at an antinode?
At an antinode on a standing wave, maximum oscillations occur
39
Amplitude is the same for all points on a progressive wave. Is this also true for a standing wave?
No. | Different points on a standing wave have different maximum displacements.
40
In a progressive wave, points on the same wave are not in phase with each other. Is this true for standing waves?
No - points on the same half of a wave are all in phase with each other; points at opposite halves of a wave are in antiphase with each other.
41
How is energy transferred through a standing wave?
It is stored in the wave
42
How can you calculate tension in a string for use in the first harmonic equation?
``` T = mg (Tension = mass * gravitational field strength) ```
43
What does mu represent in the 1st harmonic equation?
Mass per unit length | Mass / length of string
44
What is significant about the open ends in a wind instrument?
Open ends ALWAYS have an anti-node
45
How can you tell a wave is the first harmonic?
It has 1 node and 2 antinodes
46
Define coherent waves
Waves with a fixed phase difference and the same wavelength and frequency
47
What is the approximate refractive index of air?
1
48
In the refractive index equation, what does c equal?
The speed of light in a vacuum/ the speed of light in the substance
49
What is the function of the cladding in a fibre optical cable?
To stop light passing from one fibre to another; to reduce light loss from the core.
50
Define modal dispersion
The lengthening of a light pulse as it travels along an optical fibre, due to rays that undergo less total internal reflection
51
Give another term form modal dispersion
Multi path dispersion
52
What is material dispersion?
Modal dispersion that occurs if white light is used instead of monochromatic light because of the different wavelengths
53
What does s stand for in the fringe spacing equation?
Slit spacing
54
What does W stand for in the fringe spacing equation?
Fringe width
55
What does D stand for in the fringe spacing equation?
Distance from slits to screen
56
Describe the interference pattern of white light is used in Young's double slit experiment
The central fringe will be white and the others are a spectrum of colours Violet on the inside Fringes overlap because they are wider than monochromatic fringes
57
Describe the diffraction pattern from a single split
Central maxima twice as wide as other fringes Central maxima brighter than other fringes Pattern becomes more spread out if a narrower slit or larger wavelength are used
58
Describe the effect on the diffraction pattern of the slit is made narrower
Fringe separation larger | Brightness reduces as less light allowed through
59
Describe the effect on the interference pattern of green light is used instead of red
Fringe separation smaller
60
What's the differences between a single and double slit interference pattern?
Single: Central fringe very bright Central fringe twice as wide as others Double: all fringes similar brightness and width
61
In the diffraction grating equation what does n stand for?
The order of the fringe
62
In the diffraction grating equation what does theta represent?
Angle between fringe and n=0 central line
63
In the diffraction grating equation what does d stand for and how do you calculate it?
``` Slit separation (in lines per mm) Do 1m divided by the number of lines per metre ```

Physics (2 decks)

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