Physics - waves

Question 1

Amplitude

Answer 1

1. The distance from equilibrium to either trough or crest.

2. The max displacement of a particle.

Question 2

Displacement

Answer 2

Distance from equilibrium

Question 3

Wavelength

Answer 3

Distance from identical points in a wave train, from trough to trough, or crest to crest.
It is written as lambda

Question 4

Period

Answer 4

Time taken for one wave to pass a given point

Question 5

Frequency

Answer 5

Number of cycles per second. This is measured in hertz (Hz)

Question 6

Trough

Answer 6

The lowest point in a wave

Question 7

Crest/peak

Answer 7

The highest point in a wave

Question 8

Oscillation

Answer 8

The repetitive vibrations of a particle in a material, around a central point. This transfers energy through waves.

Question 9

Mechanical waves

Answer 9

Are vibrations of a material. Mechanical waves need a medium, or material, to go through. (Either solid, liquid, or gas). Examples of mechanical waves are sound, seismic waves, and string.

There are two types of mechanical waves:
Transverse and longitudinal.

Question 10

Electromagnetic waves

Answer 10

Either electric or magnetic fields through space. Electromagnetic waves don’t need a medium or material to move through. (E.g. The electromagnetic spectrum)

Question 11

Longitudinal waves

Answer 11

Oscillations occur parallel to the direction of travel.

The wave compresses and expands as the energy travels

Question 12

Transverse waves

Answer 12

Oscillations occur perpendicular to the direction of travel.

Question 13

Analogue signal

Answer 13

A continuous signal that varies in amplitude or frequency with the info being transmitted.

Question 14

Bandwidth

Answer 14

The amount of data that can be transmitted through a communication channel.

Question 15

Binary number system

Answer 15

Number system consisting of only two digits, 0 and 1

Question 16

Coherent

Answer 16

Light waves that are in a repeating pattern

Question 17

Colour filter

Answer 17

A transparent material that that allows light of a particular colour to pass through

Question 18

Diffraction

Answer 18

Bending of a wave around an obstacle

Question 19

Digital signal

Answer 19

A signal consisting of a series of on or off pulses

Question 20

Dispersion

Answer 20

Splitting of weight light into separate colours

Question 21

Electric field

Answer 21

A region of electrical influence in which charged particles will move

Question 22

Electromagnetic radiation

Answer 22

Electromagnetic waves consisting of oscillating electric and magnetic fields travelling at the speed of light

Question 23

Electromagnetic spectrum

Answer 23

The entire range of frequencies of electromagnetic radiation, from high frequency gamma rays to low frequency radio waves

Question 24

Electromagnetic wave

Answer 24

Transverse electric and magnetic fields positioned at right angles to each other and travelling through empty space at the speed of light

Question 25

Electromagnetism

Answer 25

The phenomenon of electric and magnetic fields interacting with each other

Question 26

Fluoresce

Answer 26

Absorb UV light and emit visible light

Question 27

Gamma rays

Answer 27

Extremely high frequency electromagnetic radiation emitted by radioactive materials

Question 28

Infrared radiation

Answer 28

Electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths slightly longer than those of visible light, detected by our skin as heat

Question 29

Magnetic field

Answer 29

A region of magnetic influence in which a magnetic object (like a compass) will move

Question 30

Microwaves

Answer 30

Electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths ranging from fractions of a Millimeter to tens of centimetres, used in communication and cooking

Question 31

Optical, fibre

Answer 31

A narrow tube of glass or plastic used to transmit pulses of light

Question 32

Polarised

Answer 32

Electromagnetic radiation that is oscillating in a single plane

Question 33

Primary colours of light

Answer 33

Red, green and blue

Question 34

Radio waves

Answer 34

Electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths ranging from less than a centimetre to hundreds of Kilometers, used in communication

Question 35

Scattering

Answer 35

The interaction of light with particles in the atmosphere, depending on the colour and frequency of the light

Question 36

Secondary colours of light

Answer 36

Cyan, yellow and magenta

Question 37

Ultraviolet light (UV)

Answer 37

Electromagnetic radiation with frequencies just above visible light, contained in sunlight

Question 38

Visible spectrum

Answer 38

The range of colours that can be seen by the eye (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet)

Question 39

Wave motion

Answer 39

The transfer of energy without transferring matter

Question 40

Wireless internet (Wi-Fi)

Answer 40

A meathod of transmitting an internet signal using radio waves

Question 41

X-rays

Answer 41

High frequency electromagnetic radiation that can penetrate materials