P12 Flashcards
1
Q
mechanical waves
A
- sound waves
- water waves
- seismic waves
- vibrations traveling through a medium
- transverse or longitudinal waves
2
Q
electromagnetic waves
A
- light waves
- radio waves
- microwaves
- can travel through a vacuum, no medium needed
3
Q
transverse waves
A
- oscillate perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer of waves
- ripples on surface of water
- electromagnetic waves
4
Q
longitudinal waves
A
- oscillate parallel to the direction of energy transfer of the waves
- sound waves in air
5
Q
amplitude
A
- is the maximum displacement of a point on the wave from its undisturbed position
- height of wave crest
6
Q
frequency
A
- the number of waves passing a point per second
- period of wave = 1/freq
7
Q
wavelength
A
- distance from a point on wave to the equivalent point on the next wave
8
Q
wave speed
A
wave speed = freq x wavelength
9
Q
ripple tank reflection
A
- waves in ripple tank are reflected from a straight barrier at the same angle to the barrier as the incident waves because their speed and wavelength do not change on reflection
10
Q
ripple tank two different materials
A
- waves crossing a boundary between two different materials are refracted unless they cross the boundary at normal incidence
11
Q
refraction
A
- occurs at a boundary between two different materials because the speed and wavelength of the waves change at the boundary
12
Q
materials and waves
A
at a boundary between two different materials, waves can be transmitted or absorbed
13
Q
investigating sound waves
A
- vibrations that travel through a medium
e.g. in air it pushes and pulls repeatedly on the air, which send out vibrations of air in waves - cannot travel through a vacuum
14
Q
investigating waves
A
- ripple tank for water waves
- stretched string for waves in a solid
- signal generator and a loudspeaker for soundwaves
