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IGCSE Physics > Waves > Flashcards

Waves Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the 2 types of waves?

A

Transverse and longitudinal

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2
Q

What are transverse waves?

A

Vibrations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer
All EM waves, eg visible light, radio waves, microwaves
Looks like a slinky moved up and down

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3
Q

What are longitudinal waves?

A

Vibrations are the same direction as energy transfer
Eg sound waves, seismic waves
Looks like a slinky when you push the end

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4
Q

Equation to calculate wave speed

A

wave speed = frequency x wavelength

v = f x l

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5
Q

Equation to calculate frequency

A 
frequency = 1 / time period
f = 1 / T
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6
Q

What is the amplitude?

A

The height of a wave

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7
Q

What is the frequency?

A

How many waves there are passing a certain point per second

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8
Q

What is the wavefront?

A

An imaginary surface used to represent the vibrating part of a wave

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9
Q

What is the wavelength?

A

The distance from one wave peak to the next

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10
Q

What is the (time) period?

A

The time it takes for one complete wave to pass a certain point

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11
Q

What is the Doppler Effect?

A

When the object is moving towards an observer, the waves are shifted to a higher frequency and the wavelength becomes shorter.

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12
Q

What is the order of the EM spectrum?

from long wavelength/low frequency to short wavelength/high frequency

A 
Radio waves
Microwaves
Infrared
Visible light 
Ultraviolet
X rays 
Gamma rays
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13
Q

What are radio waves used for?

A

Broadcasting and communications

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14
Q

What are microwaves used for?

A

Cooking and satellite transmissions

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15
Q

What is infrared used for?

A

Heaters and night vision equipment

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16
Q

What is ultraviolet used for?

A

Fluorescent lamps

17
Q

What are x rays used for?

A

Observing the internal structure of objects and materials, eg broken bones

18
Q

What are gamma rays used for?

A

Sterilising food and medical equipment

19
Q

What effect does excessive exposure to microwaves have?

How can you prevent this?

A

Internal heating of body tissue

Microwave ovens should have shielding to protect the user.

20
Q

What effect does excessive exposure to infra-red have?

How can you prevent this?

A

Skin burns

Don’t touch hot objects

21
Q

What effect does excessive exposure to ultraviolet have?

How can you prevent this?

A

Damage to skim cells and blindness

Wear sunglasses, sun cream, wide brim hat

22
Q

What effect does excessive exposure to gamma rays have?

How can you prevent this?

A

Cancer, mutation

Radioactive sources should be stored in lead-lined boxes

23
Q

What is the speed of light?

A

3 x 10^8 m/s

24
Q

Are light waves transverse o longitudinal?

A

Transverse

25
Q

What is the law of reflection?

A

Angle of incidence = angle of reflection

i = r

26
Q

What is the refractive index of a material?

A

Tells you how fast light travels through it

27
Q

Equation to calculate refractive index

A

n = sin i / sin r

28
Q

When the angle of incidence is less than the critical angle:

A

i is less than the angle of refraction

Most of the light passes out

29
Q

When the angle of incidence is the critical angle:

A

The angle of refraction is 90°

The refracted ray comes out along the surface

30
Q

When the angle of incidence is greater than the critical angle:

A

All light is totally internally reflected (TIR)

Law of reflection is observed

31
Q

What is the relationship between the critical angle angle and the refractive index?

A

sin C = 1 / n

32
Q

What type of waves are sound waves?

A

Longitudinal waves, can be reflected and refracted

33
Q

What is the frequency range for normal human hearing?

A

20Hz - 20,000Hz

IGCSE Physics (6 decks)

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