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Physics > Waves and the electromagnetic spectrum > Flashcards

Waves and the electromagnetic spectrum Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the equation for wave speed?

A

Wave speed (m/s) = frequency (Hz) x wavelength (m)

This equation describes how the speed of a wave is determined by its frequency and wavelength.

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2
Q

What is the formula to calculate frequency?

A

Frequency (Hz) = 1 / time period (s)

This formula indicates that frequency is the inverse of the time period.

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3
Q

What is a wave?

A

A means of transferring energy or information from one point to another without transferring matter between the two points.

Waves can carry energy and information effectively across distances.

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4
Q

Define transverse waves.

A

Waves where the direction of vibration is at 90° to the direction of movement.

Examples include light waves, which have crests and troughs.

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5
Q

What are the key characteristics of transverse waves?

A

Crests and troughs

Crests are the highest points, while troughs are the lowest points in a transverse wave.

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6
Q

Define longitudinal waves.

A

Waves where the vibrations of the particles are along the direction in which the wave travels.

Sound waves are a common example of longitudinal waves.

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7
Q

What are the key characteristics of longitudinal waves?

A

Compressions and rarefactions

Compressions are regions where particles are close together, while rarefactions are regions where they are stretched apart.

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8
Q

Fill in the blank: A wave is a means of transferring energy or information from one point to another without transferring _______.

A

matter

This highlights the fundamental property of waves.

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9
Q

What is amplitude in the context of waves?

A

The maximum displacement of the vibration from the undisturbed position.

Measured in metres.

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10
Q

Define frequency.

A

The number of waves or oscillations per second.

Measured in hertz (Hz).

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11
Q

What is wavelength?

A

The distance between a point on a wave and the same point on the next wave (e.g., from crest to crest).

Measured in metres.

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12
Q

What does the period of a wave refer to?

A

The time for one complete wave or oscillation.

Measured in seconds.

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13
Q

How is wave speed defined?

A

The speed at which the wave travels in its direction of motion.

Measured in metres per second (m/s).

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14
Q

What is a wave front?

A

The front of the wave, or the same point on each wave, typically the crest or peak of the wave.

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15
Q

Is light part of the electromagnetic spectrum?

A

Yes.

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16
Q

What is the speed of light in a vacuum?

A

3 x 10^8 m/s.

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17
Q

List three characteristics of waves in the electromagnetic spectrum.

A
  • Travel at the same speed in a vacuum
  • Transfer energy
  • Can be reflected and refracted
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18
Q

True or False: All waves in the electromagnetic spectrum are transverse waves.

A

True.

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19
Q

Fill in the blank: The distance between points on a wave is measured in _______.

A

[metres]

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20
Q

Fill in the blank: The number of waves per second is known as _______.

A

[frequency]

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21
Q

Fill in the blank: The time taken for one complete wave is referred to as _______.

A

[period]

22
Q

What is the order of the electromagnetic spectrum (in order of decreasing wavelength / increasing frequency)?

A

Radio waves
Microwaves
Infrared waves
Visible light (ROYGBIV)
Ultraviolet
X-rays
Gamma Rays

23
Q

What section of the waves can our eyes detect?

A

Visible light

24
Q

What is the order of the electromagnetic spectrum in decreasing wavelength / increasing frequency?

A
  • Radio waves
  • Microwaves
  • Infrared
  • Visible light
  • Ultraviolet
  • X-rays
  • Gamma rays
25
Q

What happens to frequency as wavelength increases?

A

Frequency decreases

26
Q

What are the colors of visible light in order of decreasing wavelength / increasing frequency?

A
  • Red
  • Orange
  • Yellow
  • Green
  • Blue
  • Indigo
  • Violet
27
Q

What is a use of radio waves?

A

Broadcasting and communications

28
Q

What is a common use for microwaves?

A

Cooking and satellite transmissions

29
Q

Infrared is commonly used in __________.

A

Heaters and night vision equipment

30
Q

What applications use visible light?

A
  • Optical fibres
  • Photography
31
Q

What is ultraviolet light used for?

A

Fluorescent light e.g. torch

32
Q

What medical applications utilize X-rays?

A

Observing internal structure of objects and materials

33
Q

Gamma rays are used for __________.

A

Sterilising food and medical equipment

34
Q

What can excessive exposure to higher frequency electromagnetic waves lead to?

A

Damaging cells, mutations, cancer

35
Q

What is a potential effect of microwaves on the body?

A

Internal heating of body tissue

36
Q

What damage can infrared radiation cause?

A

Skin burns

37
Q

What are the potential effects of ultraviolet radiation?

A

Damage to surface cells, blindness, skin cancer

38
Q

What health risk is associated with X-rays?

A

Cancer

39
Q

Which type of radiation is considered the most dangerous?

A

Gamma rays

40
Q

What are the protective measures against UV radiation?

A

Wear sunglasses, sun cream, stay in the shade

41
Q

What should be worn for protection from gamma rays?

A

Lead clothing

42
Q

What does ‘tera’ represent in the index of the electromagnetic spectrum?

A

T - 10^12

43
Q

What does ‘giga’ represent in the index of the electromagnetic spectrum?

A

G - 10^9

44
Q

What does ‘mega’ represent in the index of the electromagnetic spectrum?

A

M - 10^6

45
Q

What does ‘kilo’ represent in the index of the electromagnetic spectrum?

A

k - 10^3

46
Q

What does ‘milli’ represent in the index of the electromagnetic spectrum?

A

m - 10^-3

47
Q

What does ‘micro’ represent in the index of the electromagnetic spectrum?

A

μ - 10^-6

48
Q

What does ‘nano’ represent in the index of the electromagnetic spectrum?

A

n - 10^-9

49
Q

What does ‘pico’ represent in the index of the electromagnetic spectrum?

A

p - 10^-12

50
Q

What does ‘femto’ represent in the index of the electromagnetic spectrum?

A

f - 10^-15

Physics (12 decks)

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