waves, sound and light

Question 1

what is the wave equation

Answer 1

speed of waves = frequency x wavelength

Question 2

define frequency

Answer 2

the number of waves produced in one second

Question 3

define wavelength

Answer 3

the distance between to troughs of a wave

Question 4

difference between longitudinal and transverse waves

Answer 4

longitudinal - vibrations travel in the same direction as the transfer of energy
transverse - vibrations travel perpendicular to the direction of the transfer of energy

Question 5

is sound a longitudinal or transverse wave

Answer 5

longitudinal

Question 6

is light a longitudinal or transverse wave

Answer 6

transverse

Question 7

what is a refractive index

Answer 7

values which show how much of a bending effect the material has when light travels through it

Question 8

how do you calculate the refractive index of an object

Answer 8

sin i/sin r

speed of light in air/speed of light in medium

Question 9

what is a critical angle

Answer 9

the angle of incidence when light can no longer be refracted, the largest angle of incidence possible for refraction to happen

Question 10

what is total internal reflection

Answer 10

when light enters a medium at an angle larger than its critical angle, causing it to be trapped in the object due to its inability to refract out of the object

Question 11

how do you calculate critical angle

Answer 11

sin c = 1/refractive index