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AQA GCSE Physics > P6 Waves > Flashcards

P6 Waves Flashcards

1
Q

What are the two types of waves?

A

Transverse and longitudinal are the two different types of wave.

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2
Q

How would you define a transverse wave?

A

The movement of the particles is at right angles to the direction of the wave.

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3
Q

How would you define a longitudinal wave?

A

The movement of the particles is parallel to the direction of the wave.

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4
Q

Name a transverse wave.

A

Light, water, mexican, all the waves on the electromagnetic spectrum, are all transverse waves.

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5
Q

Name a longitudinal wave

A

Sound is good example of a longitudinal wave.

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6
Q

On a longitudinal wave, what is meant by an area of compression, and an area of rarefaction?

A

An area of compression is where the particles are closest together, and rarefaction is where the particles are furthest apart.

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7
Q

What is meant by the amplitude of a wave?

A

The amplitude of a wave is the maximum displacement of the wave away from its undisturbed position. (From the middle to the top or the middle to the bottom, NOT top to bottom!)

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8
Q

What is meant by the wavelength of a wave?

A

The wavelength of a wave is the distance from a point on one wave to the same point on the next wave.

It could be peak to peak, or trough to trough.

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9
Q

What is frequency?

A

Frequency is the number of waves per second.

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10
Q

What is frequency measured in?

A

Frequency is measured in Hertz (Hz).e.g. 10 Hz means 10 waves per second.

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11
Q

What is meant by the period of a wave?

A

The period of a wave is the time (number of seconds) it takes for each wave to go by.

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12
Q

What is the relationship between frequency and period?

A

period = 1/frequency

frequency = 1/period

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13
Q

What is the wave equation?

(The equation that relates the speed of a wave to its frequency and wavelength)

A

speed = frequency x wavelength

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14
Q

What is the law of reflection?

TRIPLE ONLY

A

The angle of incidence = angle of reflection

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15
Q

What is refraction?

TRIPLE ONLY

A

As light moves from a less dense medium to a more dense medium the light bends towards the normal. This change of direction is called refraction.

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16
Q

Why does refraction occur?

TRIPLE ONLY

A

Refraction happens beacause the waves change speed as they enter a different medium. They slow down if they enter something more dense and speed up if they enter something less dense.

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17
Q

How do sound waves travel through solids?

TRIPLE ONLY

A

Sound waves travel through solids by passing vibrations through the solid.

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18
Q

What is the frequency range of human hearing?

TRIPLE ONLY

A

The frequency range of human hearing is from 20 - 20,000 Hertz

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19
Q

What is ultrasound?

TRIPLE ONLY

A

Sound waves with a frequency greater than 20000Hz which humans cant hear.

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20
Q

Explain how ultrasound can be used to produce a picture of an unborn baby.

TRIPLE ONLY

A

Ultrasound reflects from boundaries between different tissues. The computer uses the time taken for these reflections.

21
Q

Why is ultrasound used instead of xrays in baby scans?

TRIPLE ONLY

A

Ultrasound is used instead of xrays in baby scans becuase x-rays can damage living cells and so could damage the fetus.

Also, x-rays go straight through soft tissues, so would only show the bones.

22
Q

What are the two types of earthquake (seismic) waves?

TRIPLE ONLY

A

The two types of earthquake (seismic) waves are P and S waves.

23
Q

What are the key features of P waves?

TRIPLE ONLY

A

The key features of P waves are:

Primary waves

Faster than S waves

Longitudinal

Can go through solids and liquids

24
Q

What are the key features of P waves?

TRIPLE ONLY

A

The key features of S waves are:

Secondary waves

Slower than P waves

Transverse

Can go through solids only

25
Q

How do scientsist use earthquake waves to work out what the inside of the Earth is like?

TRIPLE ONLY

A

S waves don’t travel through liquid, and leave a shadow zone which shows that the outer core must be made of liquid. Refraction also shows how the density inside the Earth changes.

26
Q

What’s a seismometer?

TRIPLE ONLY

A

A seismometer is a device for measuring seismic waves.

27
Q

What’s a seismograph

TRIPLE ONLY

A

A seismograph is the picture of vibrations caused by earthquake waves.

28
Q

What is the electromagnetic spectrum?

A

A family of waves: radio waves, microwaves, infrared waves, visible waves, ultraviolet waves, x rays and gamma rays.

29
Q

Can you recall the e/m spectrum in order of decreasing frequency?

A

A family of waves: radio waves, microwaves, infrared waves, visible waves, ultraviolet waves, x rays and gamma rays.

30
Q

Give some uses for radio waves.

A

Radio waves – television and radio

31
Q

What are the uses of microwaves?

A

Microwaves – satellite communications, cooking food

32
Q

What are the uses of infra-red?

A

Infrared – electrical heaters, cooking food, infrared cameras, night-vision goggles

33
Q

What are the uses for x-rays and gamma rays?

A

X-rays and gamma rays – medical imaging and treatments.

34
Q

How are radio waves produced?

A

Radio waves can be produced by oscillations in electrical circuits.

35
Q

What happens when radio waves are absorbed by an aerial?

A

When radio waves are absorbed by an aerial they create an electric current in the aerial.

36
Q

What sort of waves are used to send signals via satellites?

A

Microwaves are used to send signals via satellites because they can penetrate the atmosphere.

37
Q

What type of radiation does the ozone layer protect us from?

A

The ozone layer protects us from ultra-violet radiation.

38
Q

What effect can ultra-violet radiation cause to the skin?

A

UV can cause sun-tan, sun burn or even skin cancer.

39
Q

How is heat transferred by radiation?

A

Heat transferred by radiation in the form of infra-red waves. This is like light but a longer wavelength.

40
Q

What sort of surfaces are the best absorbers of infra-red radiation?

A

Black matt surfaces absorb radiation the best, so will heat up more than white shiny surfaces.

41
Q

What sort of surfaces are the best emitters of infra-red radiation?

A

Black matt surfaces emit radiation the best, so will cool down more than white shiny surfaces.

42
Q

Where do gamma rays come from?

A

Gamma rays come from changes in the nucleus of an atom.

43
Q

What is the difference between a real image and a virtual image?

A

A real image can be projected onto a screen, a virtual image can’t.

44
Q

Name something that produces a virtual image.

A

A magnifying glass produces a virtual image.

45
Q

Name something that produces a real image.

A

A camera or projector produces a real image.

46
Q

How do you calculate maginification of an image?

TRIPLE ONLY

A

Magnification = image height/object height

47
Q

What is meant by a perfect black body?

A

A perfect black body is an object that absorbs all of the radiation incident on it.

A black body does not reflect or transmit any radiation.

Since a good absorber is also a good emitter, a perfect black body would be the best possible emitter.

48
Q

If a body is absorbing radiation at the same rate as it is emitting radiation, what happens to its temperature?

A

A body at constant temperature is absorbing radiation at the same rate as it is emitting radiation.

AQA GCSE Physics (9 decks)

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