Waves

Question 1

What’s the symbol for frequency on the formula sheet?

Answer 1

f

Question 2

What’s the unit for frequency ?

Answer 2

Hz

(Hertz)

Question 3

What’s the symbol for period on the formula sheet?

Answer 3

T

Question 4

What’s the unit for period?

Answer 4

s

Question 5

How do you work out the period of a wave?

Answer 5

It’s the time it takes for 1 wave to pass

Question 6

What’s the symbol for wavelength on the formula sheet?

Answer 6

λ

(lambda)

Question 7

What’s the unit for wavelength?

Answer 7

m

Question 8

How do you work out the wavelength of a wave?

Answer 8

It’s the length of one wave

Question 9

What’s the amplitude of a wave?

Answer 9

The maximum height from the centre of the wave

Or (max-min)/2

NOTE - the amplitude is NOT on the formula sheet - you just measure it off a diagram

Question 10

What is the order of the parts of the electromagnetic spectrum (from longest wavelength to shortest)?

Answer 10

Radio waves (longest wavelength)
Microwaves
Infrared
Visible Light
Ultraviolet
X-rays
Gamma rays (shortest wavelength)

Remember RaMILUXY

Question 11

What’s the speed of an X-ray?

Answer 11

Speed of light (on data sheet)
3 x 10^8 ms^-1

Question 12

Which part of the electromagnetic spectrum diffracts the most?

Answer 12

Radio waves
(longer wavelengths diffracts more than shorter wavelengths)