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AS - Physics > Waves > Flashcards

Waves Flashcards

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1
Q

Wavelength - Radio waves

A

10^6 - 10^-1

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2
Q

Wavelength - Microwaves

A

10^-1 - 10^-3

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3
Q

Wavelength - Infrared

A

10^-3 - 7x10^-7

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4
Q

Wavelength - visible

A

7x10^-7 - 4x10^-7

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5
Q

Wavelength - ultraviolet

A

4x10^-7 - 10^-8

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6
Q

Wavelength - X rays

A

10^-8 - 10^-13

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7
Q

Wavelength - gamma rays

A

10^-10 - 10^-16

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8
Q

Mechanical waves

A

regular vibration of particles

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9
Q

Electromagnetic waves

A

oscillating electric and magnetic fields - they do not need particles so can pass through vacuum

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10
Q

Longitudinal waves

A

displacement of particles is parallel to the direction of propagation of the wave’s energy

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11
Q

Transverse waves

A

displacement of particles is perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the wave’s energy

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12
Q

Progressive waves

A

transfer energy from one place to another

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13
Q

Wavelength

A

distance from any point on the wave to the consecutive point that are in phase

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14
Q

Displacement

A

distance of the point on the wave from its equilibrium position

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15
Q

Amplitude

A

maximum displacement of a point on the wave from its equilibrium position

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16
Q

Wave

A

a series of regular oscillations which transfer energy through matter or space

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17
Q

Intensity of a wave

A

Rate of energy transmitted per unit area normal to wave velocity

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18
Q

How does intensity of a wave decrease as it travels through space?

A

The waves spread out, some of the wave may be scattered or absorbed

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19
Q

Phase difference

A

the fraction of one whole cycle between the vibrations

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20
Q

Doppler effect

A

the apparent change in frequency (or wavelength) of a wave when the source is moving relative to the observer

21
Q

principle of superposition of waves

A

When two waves of the same type meet, they combine together. The total displacement of the resulting wave is the vector sum of the displacements of the individual waves at that point in space.

22
Q

Nodes

A

the points on the wave that do not move

23
Q

Antinodes

A

the points on the wave that oscillates with maximum amplitude

24
Q

Explain the formation of antinodes

A

when two waves arrive at the same point IN PHASE. The two waves superimpose CONSTRUCTIVELY so their two displacements add together to give maximum displacement (constructive interference)

25
Q

Explain the formation of nodes

A

when two waves arrive at the same point IN ANTIPHASE. The two waves superimpose DESTRUCTIVELY so their two displacements add together to give ZERO displacement (destructive interference)

26
Q

wave speed of progressive wave

A

speed at which energy is transferred

27
Q

period

A

time taken for one complete oscillation to pass a point

28
Q

frequency

A

number of oscillation per unit time of the source

29
Q

wave speed of a stationary wave

A

rate of transfer of energy of the wave fronts of the two progressive waves that superpose to create the stationary wave.

30
Q

condition for stationary wave to form

A
  • two progressive waves of the same frequency, same type and similar amplitude
  • travelling in opposite directions
  • overlap so that superposition takes place
31
Q

how to use CRO

A
  • adjust the time base to get approx. 2 waves on screen
  • count the number of divisions for one complete wave
  • multiply the number of division by time base setting to get the time
  • use equation F=1/T to find the frequency
32
Q

differences between progressive and stationary waves

A
  • progressive waves do not have nodes or antinodes, stationary waves do
  • on progressive waves, two consecutive points are not in phase, on stationary waves, they are in phase
33
Q

similarities between progressive and stationary waves

A

air particles vibrate parallel to the direction of wave travel

34
Q

Suggest how stationary electromagnetic waves might be set up

A

A microwave transmitter is placed a distance from a metal plate that reflects the emitted waves.

When the position of the transmitter is adjusted to achieve a suitable resonant length between transmitter and reflector, stationary waves would be formed by the superposition of the emitted and reflected waves.

35
Q

path difference between two constructive waves

A

nλ

36
Q

path difference between two destructive waves

A

(n+1/2) λ

37
Q

what is meant by the term ‘coherence’

A
  • two waves of same type
  • constant phase difference
  • overlap
38
Q

How coherent source is produced?

A

same source diffracted by double slit

39
Q

What is observed on screen by double slit?

A
  • bright and dark fringes
40
Q

How to diffract a white light source?

A

use a coloured filter then pass through single slit, then double slit

41
Q

How can fringes be seen more clearly?

A
  • screen is moved further away
  • room is dark
  • slits are very close together
42
Q

monochromatic

A

light of a single wavelength / frequency

43
Q

How the wavelength can be found using young’s double slit (equation)

A

λ = ax/D

44
Q

How to measure λ accurately in Young’s double slit?

A

large D to give greater fringe spacing. Measure across several fringes, repeat for different distances. Could plot a graph of X v D and find gradient.

45
Q

What is a diffraction grating?

A

A large number of equally spaced lines ruled on a glass or plastic slide

46
Q

What precautions you should take when calculating a value for wavelength using laser?

A
  • protective goggles
  • not looking directly into laser
  • avoid reflections (shiny surfaces, jewellery)
47
Q

Explain the term interference (same for principle of superposition)

A

when two waves meet, the resultant displacement is the sum of individual displacement

48
Q

Dispersion

A

The splitting of wave into different wavelengths

AS - Physics (5 decks)

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