waves Flashcards
what is the relationship between the direction of energy transfer and vibration in a transverse wave ( wiggle) eg
the direction of vibration is perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer eg all waves in the electromagnetic spectrum, light waves and water waves
what is the relationship between the direction of vibration and wave travel in a longitudinal wave (barcode)eg
direction of vibration is parallel to the direction of wave travel eg sound waves
what is amplitude ?
amplitude is the vertical distance from the centre line to the top of a crest or the bottom of a trough (meters)
what is wavelength?
Wavelength is the horizontal distance between the point on one crest and the identical point on the next wave often this is done as one crest to the next or one trough to the next
what is frequency ?
frequency is the number of complete waves produced in 1 second or the number of waves passing a point in 1 second (Hz)
what is period?
period is the time taken for one complete wave to be produced. (seconds)
what does f=N/t mean?
frequency= number of waves ÷ time in seconds
what does f=1/T mean
frequency = 1 ÷ period
what does T=1÷ f mean
period = 1 ÷ frequency
what is diffraction?
diffraction is the bending of waves around obstacles example - water waves passing through the gap Inna barrier
what is the order of the electro magnetic spectrum in order of increasing frequency and decreasing wavelength
radio + TV, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultra violet, x - rays, gamma rays
which waves are the most dangerous
high frequency waves have high energy so x rays and gamma rays are the most dangerous
what are the common properties of em spectrum waves
- they are all transverse waves
- they all travel at the speed of light (3x108)
- they all travel through a vacuum
- they all travel in straight lines
what are the uses and detectors of radio + TV waves?
*used in telecommunications/ radio + TV/ broadcasting / RADAR
* detected by antennas or aerials
*Sources include stars, lightning, pulsars
what are uses, detectors and sources for microwaves?
- used in microwave ovens and telecommunications
- detected by antenna and aerivals
- Sources include stars, cosmic microwave background radiation
what are sources uses and detectors of infrared radiation
sources - any object that gives out heat
- detectors - ccd of thermal cameras or thermometers
uses - to treat muscle injuries, used in security systems
what are the uses, sources and detectors of visible light
uses - lasers to cauterize wounds/ blood vessels, surgery, reading information from discs
detectors - the retina of the human eye
source - stars
What are the uses, sources and detectors of UV light
Uses - treatment of rickets and skin conditions such as acne, hardening of gel nails/ fillings, security markings on bank notes/ passports
Detectors - florescent chemicals, photodiode Sources - the sun and other stars
uses detectors and sources of x rays
uses include taking images on inside the body, sterilise medical instruments
- detected by photographic film
sources - stars
uses, sources and detectors of gamma rays
Used in radiotherapy, sterilise medical instruments
detected by a Geiger Muller tube
Sources include the nuclei of unstable atoms ( radioactive decay)
what is the law of reflection?
Angle of incidence = angle of reflection
where is the signal strongest? - light
Place two antennas where reflected rays meet (focus)
what is refraction?
Refraction is the change in speed of light as it travels from one medium to another medium of a different density.
what happens during refraction when traveling into a denser medium?
*light waves slow down
* wavelength decreases
* light changes direction towards the normal of the incident ray was at an angle
* frequency remains unchanged
the opposite happens when light travels from a more dense medium into a less dense one