Topic 1: Waves

Question 1

Wavelength

Answer 1

The length from peak to peak or trough to trough. Symbol: λ (lambda) Unit: m (meters)

Question 2

Frequency

Answer 2

The number of waves passing a point each second. Symbol: f Unit: Hz Formula : f = N/t

Question 3

Amplitude

Answer 3

The height of a wave from the centre to peak or trough. Symbol: A Unit: m (meters)

Question 4

Louder wave

Answer 4

Increase in volume Increase in amplitude (same wavelength)

Question 5

Quieter wave

Answer 5

Decrease in volume Decrease in amplitude (same wavelength)

Question 6

Longitudinal waves

Answer 6

Vibrates along the same direction as the direction of travel and energy

Question 7

Wavespeed unit (V)

Answer 7

Meters per second (ms-1)

Question 8

Distance unit (d)

Answer 8

Meters (m)

Question 9

Sources of error

Answer 9

Measuring distance and reaction time

Question 10

In solids, vibrations are…

Answer 10

Passed on much quicker

Question 11

Reflection

Answer 11

The bouncing back of a wave when it hits a surface through which it cannot pass.

Question 12

More dense to less dense (glass to air)

Answer 12

Will speed up and the angle to the normal will bend away from the normal

Question 13

Electromagnetic spectrum

Answer 13

All of the frequencies or wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation

Question 14

Radio waves

Answer 14

Electromagnetic waves with the longest wavelengths and lowest frequencies. Used in television signals

Question 15

Microwaves

Answer 15

Used in cooking, mobile phones. Can cause internal heating of body issues.

Question 16

Ultraviolet

Answer 16

Can cause severe sunburn and damage to cells. Found in sunlight and artificial sources.

Question 17

Gamma

Answer 17

Kills cancer cells, also damages cells. Found in neutron stars and supernove explosions. Waves with the highest frequency and the shortest wavelength.

Question 18

Wavespeed

Answer 18

The speed of a wave, symbol is V (velocity) and is measured in meters per second.

Question 19

High frequency wave

Answer 19

Increase in frequency Decrease in wavelength (same amplitude)

Question 20

Low frequency wave

Answer 20

Decrease in frequency Increase in wavelength (same amplitude)

Question 21

Wavespeed formula

Answer 21

V = fλ

Question 22

Frequency formula

Answer 22

F = N/t

Question 23

Transverse waves

Answer 23

Waves that vibrates at right angles of travel and energy

Question 24

Frequency unit (f)

Answer 24

Hertz (Hz)

Question 25

Wavelength unit (λ)

Answer 25

Meters (m)

Question 26

Time unit (t)

Answer 26

Seconds (s)

Question 27

All sound is...

Answer 27

Carried by vibrations

Question 28

Law of reflection

Answer 28

Angle of incidence = angle of reflection

Question 29

Where are the angles of incidence and reflection measured from?

Answer 29

Between the light ray and the normal

Question 30

Refraction

Answer 30

Is the change of direction of a wave at a boundary. Always changes speed and sometimes direction.

Question 31

Normal

Answer 31

A line that is always right angles to the boundary. All angles are measured to this line

Question 32

Specular reflection

Answer 32

Reflection from a smooth surface

Question 33

Diffuse reflection

Answer 33

Reflection from a rough surface

Question 34

When does refraction occur?

Answer 34

When a wave goes from one medium to another and it always changes speed and sometimes changes direction

Question 35

Why does an object appear to bend in water?

Answer 35

Because of refraction

Question 36

Less dense to more dense (air to glass)

Answer 36

Will slow down and the angle to the normal will bend towards it

Question 37

Infrared

Answer 37

This has wavelengths that are longer than visible light, and can be felt as heat. Could cause skin to burn.

Question 38

Visible

Answer 38

Able to be seen. Very intense light could damage the retina

Question 39

Xray

Answer 39

Used in medical images of bones. Can damage cells and cell death. Found in radioactive elements and hot objects in space.

Question 40

Ray diagram

Answer 40

Diagram used to represent how light travels, each ray has an arrow to show the direction of travel

Question 41

Period formula

Answer 41

T = 1/f

Question 42

Wave

Answer 42

An oscillation that transfers energy.

Question 43

Pressure

Answer 43

Is the force per unit area and applied perpendicularly.

Question 44

The more often or harder the collisions...

Answer 44

The greater the pressure

Question 45

If the volume of gas decreases...

Answer 45

The pressure increases.

Question 46

Formula for pressure

Answer 46

P = f/a

Question 47

Pressure unit

Answer 47

Nm-2

Question 48

Force unit

Answer 48

N (newtons)

Question 49

Force is usually weight =

Answer 49

W = mg

Question 50

What is the kelvin temperature?

Answer 50

Is a scale that is designed so that absolute zero is defined as 0K.

Question 51

Lowest temperature you can reach

Answer 51

Absolute zero

Question 52

Celsius to Kelvin

Answer 52

+273

Question 53

Kelvin to Celsius

Answer 53

-273

Question 54

As particles increase in temperature

Answer 54

They move faster

Question 55

For a fixed mass and volume of gas, the absolute pressure is...

Answer 55

Directly proportional to the Kelvin temperature

Question 56

When would molecules stop moving?

Answer 56

When at absolute zero (0K)

Question 57

To increase pressure

Answer 57

Increase the force Have a smaller surface area

Question 58

To decrease pressure

Answer 58

Decrease the force Have a larger surface area