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WJEC Physics Resources > Waves > Flashcards

Waves Flashcards

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1
Q

Name the seven stages of the electromagnetic spectrum, and their wavelengths (M).

A
  • Radio (10^3)
  • Microwave (10^-2)
  • Infrared (10^-5)
  • Visible (1x10^-7). Sorry Sophie, lol.
  • Ultraviolet (10^-8)
  • X-ray (10^-10)
  • Gamma ray (10^-12)
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2
Q

What are transverse waves?

A

Waves for which the direction of motion is at right angles to the direction of vibration of the wave.

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3
Q

What is an example of a transverse wave?

A

Water and light waves.

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4
Q

Which waves oscillate at right angles to the direction of vibration of the wave?

A

Transverse waves.

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5
Q

What are longitudinal waves?

A

A longitudinal wave is one in which the vibration causing the wave is parallel to the direction of energy transfer.

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6
Q

What is an example of a longitudinal wave?

A

A sound wave.

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7
Q

Which waves vibrate parallel to their source?

A

Longitudinal waves.

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8
Q

How do longitudinal waves travel?

A

As a series of compressions and rarefactions.

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9
Q

How do transverse waves travel?

A

As a series of peaks and troughs.

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10
Q

In what terms are waves described?

A

Waves are described by their wavelength, frequency, speed and amplitude.

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11
Q

What does the symbol “λ” represent?

A

Wavelength.

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12
Q

Define wavelength.

A

The distance between successive crests of a wave.

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13
Q

Define frequency.

A

The number of waves that pass a point in one second.

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14
Q

How is frequency measured?

A

In hertz (Hz), where 1Hz = 1 wave per second.

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15
Q

What is the symbol for speed?

A

v

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16
Q

Define speed, in terms of waves.

A

the distance that a wave travels in one second. Wave speed is measured in metres per second (m/s).

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17
Q

Define amplitude, in terms of waves.

A

Amplitude is a measure of the energy possessed by the wave. Amplitude is measured from the undisturbed (normal) position at the top of a crest or at the bottom of a trough. Loud sounds have larger amplitudes than quiet sounds.

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18
Q

What is the “normal?”

A

The undisturbed position at the centre of transverse waves.

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19
Q

What equation is used to calculate wave speed?

A

Speed = distance/time.

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20
Q

What is the equation speed = distance/time used to calculate?

A

Wave speed.

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21
Q

How are wave speed, frequency and wavelength connected in an equation?

A

Wave speed = frequency x wavelength.

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22
Q

What is the symbolic equation for wave speed = frequency x wavelength?

A

v=fλ

23
Q

How fast do all electromagnetic waves travel?

A

At the speed of light (3 x 10^8).

24
Q

Does the speed of electromagnetic waves vary?

A

No - all travel at the speed of light.

25
Q

How fast do water waves generally travel?

A

4m/s

26
Q

Define “electromagnetic.”

A

Electromagnetic waves or EM waves are waves that are created as a result of vibrations between an electric field and a magnetic field. In other words, EM waves are composed of oscillating magnetic and electric fields. … They are hence known as ‘electromagnetic’ waves.

27
Q

Describe the electromagnetic spectrum.

A

The electromagnetic (EM) spectrum is the range of all types of EM radiation. Radiation is energy that travels and spreads out as it goes – the visible light that comes from a lamp in your house and the radio waves that come from a radio station are two types of electromagnetic radiation.

28
Q

Are electromagnetic waves transverse or longitudinal?

A

Transverse.

29
Q

Which elements to the electromagnetic spectrum can ionise?

A

Gamma rays, X-rays, and Ultraviolet light.

30
Q

What happens when waves ionise?

A

They can interact with atoms and damage cells due to their large energies.

31
Q

What is the main use for gamma rays?

A

They are used to make images of the body.

32
Q

What is the main use for X-rays?

A

Used for medical imaging.

33
Q

What is the main impact of ultraviolet light?

A

Causes sunburn.

34
Q

What is the main use for infrared radiation?

A

For heating and for communications across short distances (TV controller, etc.)

35
Q

What are the main uses for microwaves?

A

For heating and communicating long distance.

36
Q

What are the main uses for radio waves?

A

For communications over long distances, such as for radio and TV signals.

37
Q

What does a higher frequency mean for a wave?

A

That is has higher energy.

38
Q

What do electromagnetic waves carry?

A

Information and energy.

39
Q

What is a straight wave front known as?

A

Plane.

40
Q

What happens when a straight wave front hits a barrier?

A

It rebounds off it, obeying the law of reflection.

41
Q

What is the law of reflection?

A

That waves are always reflected back at the same angle from which they arrived: if a wave hits a mirror at an angle of 36°, it will be reflected at the same angle (36°).

42
Q

What is the term for an incoming ray, or wavefront?

A

An incident ray (or wavefront).

43
Q

What is the term for the line at a 90 degree angle to a barrier, used to measure angles?

A

The normal.

44
Q

What is the angle of incidence?

A

The angle between the incident ray and the normal.

45
Q

What is the angle of incidence equal to?

A

The angle of reflection.

46
Q

What is refraction?

A

Refraction is a general property of waves, occurring when any waves travel across the boundary from one medium where they travel faster to another where they travel slower (or vice-versa).

47
Q

Do refracted waves bend towards or away from the normal?

A

Towards it.

48
Q

What is the term for a satellite that remains in the same place relative to earth throughout the day?

A

A geostationary satellite.

49
Q

How high do geostationary satellites orbit?

A

At 36,000km.

50
Q

How long is the orbit time for most satellites?

A

Generally around 24 hours.

51
Q

What is the term for satellites that do not remain in the same place relative to earth?

A

A geosynchronous satellite.

52
Q

Which portion of the world do geostationary satellites orbit?

A

The equator.

53
Q

How do mobile phones communicate, and what problems does this present?

A

Using microwaves. Though both reliable and swift in their travel, these require travel without obstacles to their destination, a process complicated by the curvature of the earth; to account for this, waves must travel to satellites and back in order to ensure reliable, or indeed any, long distance communication, while tall pylons are relied on for domestic and short distance communication.

54
Q

How many satellites are required to cover the earth in its entirety?

A

Three, though in practice more are used.

WJEC Physics Resources (4 decks)

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