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Physics > Waves, sound and light > Flashcards

Waves, sound and light Flashcards

1
Q

Explain what a wave is?

A

Transmits energy
Particles of the medium oscillate
Particles move up and down or back and forth but don’t move

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2
Q

What is the definition of oscillation?

A

the movements of particles to and fro between two points

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3
Q

What is the definition of amplitude?

A

The maximum displacement of a particle from it’s rest position

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4
Q

What is the difference between a crest and a trough?

A

The crest is the highest point of a wave and the trough is the lowest point of a wave

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5
Q

What is the definition of the term superposition?

A

The algebraic sum of the amplitudes of two waves that occupy the same space at the same time

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6
Q

What is the definition of constructive interference?

A

The crest of one wave overlaps with the crest of another wave to produce an increased amplitude

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7
Q

What is the definition of destructive interference?

A

The crest of one wave overlaps with the trough of another to produce a decreased amplitude

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8
Q

What happens after superposition?

A

the waves continue in the original direction of motion with it’s original amplitude

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9
Q

What is the definition of the term transverse waves?

A

A wave in which the particles of the medium vibrate perpendicularly to the direction of motion of the wave

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10
Q

What happens in a transverse wave?

A

The particles move up and down while the wave moves forward, particles don’t travel with the wave

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11
Q

What is the definition of a longitudinal wave?

A

A wave in which the particles of the medium vibrate parallel to the direction of motion of the wave

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12
Q

What is the definition of the term compression?

A

A region of high pressure in a longitudinal wave

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13
Q

What is the definition of the term rarefraction?

A

A region of low pressure in a longitudinal wave

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14
Q

What is the definition of the term period?

A

Time taken for one complete oscillation

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15
Q

What is the definition of frequency?

A

Number of oscillations for every one second

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16
Q

What is oscillations measured in?

A

hertz (Hz)

17
Q

What is a wavelength?

A

the distance a wave travels in one oscillation

18
Q

Explain sound as a wave?

A

Longitudinal wave
As pressure changes, particles transfer energy
Can be transferred through solid, liquids and gases

19
Q

Which objects absorb and reflect sound?

A

Hard objects reflect sound
Soft objects absorb sound

20
Q

What is pitch?

A

How high or low a note is
Depends on frequency
Higher frequency = higher note

21
Q

What is loudness?

A

How loud a note is
Depends on amplitude
Higher amplitude = higher sounds

22
Q

What is the difference between noise and a music note?

A

A music note is a sound caused by regular vibrations and a noise is irregular vibrations with a mixture of different frequencies

23
Q

What is wave speed?

A

The distance travelled by a point on a wave per unit time

24
Q

What kind of waves are sound waves?

A

Longitudinal waves

25
Q

What happens to the particles in a sound wave?

A

As the pressure changes, particles transfer energy

26
Q

What travels further? Sound or light?

A

Light

27
Q

What is ultrasound?

A

Sound between 20Hz and 20000Hz
Humans can’t hear it
Used in echolocation

28
Q

What is the definition of ultrasound?

A

When sound waves reach a boundary between two media, part of the wave reflects back, part of it transmits through. The reflected parts are captured by a computer and an image can be generated

29
Q

What is ultrasound used for?

A

Tumors
Deformed organs
Break up kidney stones

30
Q

What are the 2 types of waves?

A

Mechanical waves
Electromagnetic waves

31
Q

What are the principels of mechanical waves?

A

Either transverse or longitudinal
Disrupts the particles of the medium its travelling through
Transfer energy not particles

32
Q

What are the principles of electromagnetic waves?

A

Transverse
Disturbtion of the electric and magnetic field
Electric and magnetic field changes
Carries energy

33
Q

What is wave-particle duality?

A

Electromagnetic radiation exhibits both wave properties and particle properties at the same time

34
Q

What are photons?

A

Discrete packets of energy
Elementary particle
Do not have mass
Called “quanta of energy”
Carries a certain amount of energy
travels at the speed of light

35
Q

Explain the energy carried by a photon.

A

High frequency > short wavelength > more energy

36
Q

What is the electromagnetic spectrum?

A

7 types of radiation

37
Q

What are the 7 types of electromagnetic radiations?

A

Radio waves
Microwaves
Infrared
Visible light
Ultraviolet
X-rays
Gamma rays

Physics (3 decks)

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