3.3 Wave Systems Flashcards
(22 cards)
What is the beats formula?
fᵇ = f¹ - f²
What is a wave?
A wave is a regular vibration that carries energy
What are the two basic kinds of waves?
Transverse waves and longitudinal waves
How would you create a transverse wave on a slinky?
Keep one end fixed and shake the other end from side to side
How would you create a longitudinal wave on a slinky?
Keep one end fixed and pushing the other end in and out
What is the frequency of a wave?
f - The number of oscillations per unit time (measured in hertz - hz)
What is the period of a wave?
T - The time it takes for one complete oscillation (measured in seconds - s)
What is the speed of a wave?
v - The distance travelled per unit time by the wave (measured in meters per second - ms⁻¹)
What is the relationship between amplitude and wave energy?
The bigger the amplitude the more energy the wave carries
What are electromagnetic waves?
Electromagnetic waves are transverse waves that travel at the speed of light in a vaccuum
What are the different types of electromagnetic wave listed from low frequency to high frequency?
Radio Microwaves Infrared Visible (ROYGBIV) Ultra Violet X Rays Gamma Rays
What are sound waves?
Sound waves are longitudinal waves consisting of a series of compressions and rarefactions
What can produce sounds waves?
- A string which is plucked (guitar), bowed (violin) or hit (piano)
- A column of air in a wind instrument or organ pipe
What is the amplitude of the sound?
The amplitude of the sound is the maximum displacement of the air particles from their rest position
What is the relationship between the amplitude of a sound wave and the volume?
The greater the amplitude of the sound wave, the louder the sound
What are the four types of behaviours of all types of waves?
Reflection, refraction, diffraction and interference
When does reflection occur?
Reflection occurs when a wave bounces from the surface of an obstacle
What happens to the properties of a wave after it is reflected?
None of the properties are changed by reflection. The wavelength, frequency, period and speed are the same before and after reflection. The only change is the direction in which the wave is travelling
When does refraction occur?
Refraction occurs when a wave moves from one material to another
What happens to the properties of a wave after it is refracted?
The speed and wavelength are changed by refraction. The frequency of the wave stays the same. The direction in which the wave is travelling may or may not be changed by refraction
When does diffraction occur?
Diffraction occurs when a wave passes around an object or through a gap (called a slit or an aperture)
When a wave passes through a gap, when is the diffraction effect the greatest?
When a wave passes through a gap the diffraction effect is greatest when the width of the gap is about the same size as the wavelength of the wave
