P6 - Waves Flashcards
What is the amplitude of a wave?
The maximum displacement of a wave from its undisturbed position.
What is the wavelength of a wave?
The distance between two adjacent waves.
What is the period of a wave and how can it be calculated?
The period is the amount of time taken for a full cycle of waves.
Period (s) = 1
Frequency (Hz)
Give three characteristics of both transverse and longtitudunal waves?
Transverse = perpendicular, travels through a vaccum and has a peak and trough.
Longitudinal = parralel, can’t travel through vaccum, and has compression and rarefraction.
How do you work out the wave speed?
Wave speed (m/s) = frequency (Hz) x wavelength (m)
What do you use to measure the speed of sound?
Use an oscilloscope to measure speed of sound.
What is meant by the term ‘absorbed’ ?
The wave transfers energy to the material’s energy stores.
What is meant by the term ‘transmitted’ ?
The wave carries on travelling through a material.
What type of wave is an electromagnetic wave?
Transverse.
What is refraction?
Waves changing direction at a boundary.
What kind of current is used to generate radio waves?
Alternating currents - they oscillate to produces oscillating electric/magnetic fields (electromagnetic waves).
What is infrared radiation and give a good use of it?
Infrared radiation is given out by all objects, the hotter the object, the more infrared radiation it gives out. Infrared cameras can be used to monitor temperature.
