waves Flashcards
(27 cards)
transverse wave
A wave where the energy flows at right angles to the vibrations.
longitudinal wave
A wave where the energy flows parallel to the vibrations
Amplitude
The maximum height of the wave from the equilibrium position.
Wavelength
The distance between a point on one wave and the same point on the next wave (crest to crest or trough to trough)
Frequency
The number of waves to be created or pass a point in a second.
Reflection
when a wave bounces off a boundary between two media
law of refelction
angle of incidence = angle of reflection
refraction
the bending of a wave as it changes speed moving from one media to the next
examples of longitudinal waves
sound + ultrasound shack waves
examples of transverse waves
electromagnetic waves:
- visible light
- infrared
- ultraviolet
crest
the highest point of a transverse wave
Uses of microwaves
Cooking and satellite transmissions
trough
the lowest point of a transverse wave
Uses of radio waves
Broadcasting and communications
Uses of infrared waves
Heaters and night vision equipment
Uses of X-rays
Observing the internal structure of objects and materials and medical applications
Uses of visible light
Optical fibres and photography
Uses of ultraviolet
sterilisation and sun tanning
Uses of gamma rays
Sterilising food and medical equipment
What is the effect of exposure to infrared
Skin burns
What is the effect of exposure to ultraviolet
UV radiation can causes cancer when skin is exposed to it
can cause blindness if the eyes are overexposed to it
what wave has the highest frequency?
gamma waves
What is the effect of exposure to gamma rays
Cancer, mutation
a wave transmits energy from …..
source to absorber
e.g. from a light source to the eye
