Wave Motion And Geometrical Optics

Question 1

Mechanical waves

Answer 1

Require a medium to travel, ex. water waves, sound waves

Question 2

Electromagnetic waves

Answer 2

Waves that travel by vibrating electric and magnetic fields.

Question 3

Transverse wave

Answer 3

Vibrates perpendicular to the direction of the waves motion, ex. electromagnetic waves, S-waves

Question 4

Longitudinal wave

Answer 4

Vibrates in the same direction, or parallel to, the direction of the waves motion, ex. sound waves, P-waves

Question 5

Amplitude

Answer 5

The maximum displacement of the medium. Depends on how it is generated, but not on its speed.

Question 6

Constructive interference

Answer 6

Wave displacements are in the same direction.

Question 7

Destructive interference

Answer 7

The superposition of waves with equal but opposite amplitudes.

Question 8

Diffraction

Answer 8

The bending of a wave around a barrier

Question 9

Concave: Object beyond centre of curvature

Answer 9

Real, smaller, inverted

Question 10

Concave: Object is at the centre of curvature

Answer 10

Real, same size, inverted

Question 11

Concave: Object is between centre of curvature and focal point

Answer 11

Real, inverted, larger

Question 12

Concave: Object is at focal point

Answer 12

No image

Question 13

Concave: Object is inside focal point

Answer 13

Virtual, erect, larger

Question 14

Concave mirror images

Answer 14

Virtual, smaller, erect

Question 15

Light passes from low density to high density

Answer 15

Slows down and bends towards normal

Question 16

Light passes from high density to low density

Answer 16

Speeds up and bends away from normal