4.4 Waves Flashcards
(89 cards)
Frequency
Number of waves that occur in 1 second (Hz)
Period
time for a wave peak to travel a distance of one wavelength
progressive waves
Waves that transfer energy away from a source without transfering material
longitudinal
Oscillation moving parallel to the direction the wave is travelling in
Transverse
Oscillation moving perpendicular to the direction the wave is travelling in
Displacement
how far a point on the wave has moved from its undisturbed position
amplitude
maximum displacement of a wave from the rest position
wavelength
Distance between 2 points of identical displacemnt on consecutive cycles of a wave
phase difference
difference in degrees/radians/angle between points on the same wave or similar points on two waves
phase
a measurement of the position of a certain point along the wave cycle.
What’s a CRO and what dose it do?
A cathode ray oscilloscope which measures voltage.
It displays waves from a single generator as a function of voltage over time.
What do you call a displayed wave on a CRO?
Trace
What is the screen of a CRO split into?
Divisions
Whats on the vertical axis on a CRO?
Vertical: Volts. Volts per division is controlled by the GAIN DIAL (in Volts/div)
Whats on the horizontal axis on a CRO?
Horizontal: Seconds. aka the time base. seconds per division controlled by TIME BASE DIAL (in ms/div)
How do you work out what direction a point on the wave is travelling in from a snapshot?
- Look at which direction the wave is travelling in
- if its travelling left to right…
- look at the displacemnt just left to the point
- if its greater then the point..
- The point will need to move UPWARDS to have that displacement
Intensity
the rate of flow of energy per unit area at right angles to the direction of travel of the wave. Measured in Wm^-3
What can waves do?
Refract, reflect, diffract and undergo interference
What can all EM waves do?
Carry energy
be polarised
travel at a speed of 3x10^8 in vacuum
Radio waves
Approx wavelength (m): 10^-1 to 10^6
Penetration: Pass through matter
Uses: Radio transmission
Microwaves
Approx wavelength (m): 10^-3 to 10^-1 (10cm)
Penetration: Mostly pass through matter but cause some heating
Uses: Radar, microwave cooking, tv transmission
Infrared
Approx wavelength (m): 7x10^-7 to 10^-3 (1mm)
Penetration: Mostly absorbed by matter causing heating
Uses: Heat detector, night vision cameras, remote controls, optical fibres
Visible light
Approx wavelength (m): 4x10^-7 to 7x10^-7
Penetration: Absorbed by matter causing some heating
Uses: Human sight, optial fibres
UV
Approx wavelength (m):10^-8 to 4x10^-7
Penetration:Absorbed by matter, slight ionisation
Uses: Sun beds, security marks that show up under uv