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Physics A-Level > Waves > Flashcards

Waves Flashcards

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1
Q

What is a transverse wave

A

Propagation is perpendicular to direction of energy transfer, no need of medium

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2
Q

What is a longitudinal wave

A

Propagation is parallel to direction of energy transfer, needs a medium

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3
Q

Examples of transverse waves

A

Light, secondary seismic waves, waves on a rope

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4
Q

Examples of longitudinal waves

A

Sound waves, mechanical waves

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5
Q

What is plane polarised

A

When oscillations of a wave are in only one plane, perpendicular to direction of energy transfer

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6
Q

Examples of unpolarised light

A

Candle or filament lamp

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7
Q

When is light intensity at minimum if two polaroid filters are placed between light

A

Filters are crossed at 90 degrees

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8
Q

Uses of polaroids

A

Polaroid glasses to reduce glare from glass (drivers)

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9
Q

What is amplitude

A

Maximum displacement from equilibrium position

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10
Q

What is wavelength

A

Length of a one whole wave cycle

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11
Q

What is a period

A

Time for one wave cycle to pass

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12
Q

What is frequency

A

Number of wave cycles per second

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13
Q

What is phase difference

A

Fraction of a cycle between the vibrations of the two particles on a wave, measured in radians or degrees

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14
Q

Do waves travel faster or slower in shallow water

A

Waves travel slower in shallow water

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15
Q

When is diffraction at its optimum

A

When the gap is closest to the wavelength of the wave

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16
Q

What is superposition

A

When two waves meet, the total displacement is equal to the sum of displacements from each wave

17
Q

What is a stationary wave

A

A wave that doesn’t transfer energy, formed when two progressive waves pass through each other of same wavelength, composed of nodes and anitnodes

18
Q

What are nodes

A

Points on a progressive/stationary wave with 0 displacement

19
Q

When does interference occur

A

When waves of constant frequency and phase difference passes through each other

20
Q

Examples of stationary waves

A

Formed on string, microwaves and sound waves

21
Q

What are antinodes

A

Maximum amplitude between nodes

22
Q

What is unpolarised light

A

Light with oscillations in many different directions, perpendicular to direction of energy transfer

23
Q

Reflected light are…

A

Plane-polarised

24
Q

How are stationary waves formed on a string

A

Waves of the same frequency and wavelength reflect of one side. Waves now travelling in opposite directions interfere

25
Q

What is a progressive wave

A

Wave that transfers energy from one point to another

26
Q

What must be satisfied about a string fixed on both ends for a stationary wave

A

L = n X (lambda/2)

27
Q

Explain why the minimum intensity between the 2 and 3 maximums is not zero

A

Intensity decreases with distance, one wave travels further than the other, amplitudes are not equal to each other

28
Q

What occurs when the width of the slits are increased

A

The intensity of light increases

29
Q

With reference to resonance, why does changing the length affect the loudness of the sound

A

Air has a natural frequency of vibration, when the fork frequency equals the natural frequency of vibration maximum loudness, when they are not equal volume drops

30
Q

How to find phase difference in a STATIONARY WAVE

A

0 if particles are between adjacent nodes or separated by an even number of nodes.
180° if the two particles are separated by an odd number of nodes.

31
Q

Which electromagnetic wave has a wavelength, similar to the diameter of a nucleus

A

Gamma

32
Q

What changes when light refracts

A

Speed and wavelength

33
Q

What condition is necessary for interference to be observed

A

Constant phase difference

34
Q

Describe the motion of a particle on a transverse wave

A

Perpendicular to direction of energy transfer (then talk about up, down directions)

Physics A-Level (19 decks)

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