Waves Flashcards
(28 cards)
What are the two types of waves?
Transverse and longitudinal
What is a transverse wave?
A wave where the oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer
What is a longitudinal wave?
A wave where the oscillations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer
Two examples of transverse waves:
Electromagnetic waves
Seismic s-waves
Two examples of longitudinal waves:
Sound waves
Seismic p-waves
What are the two parts of a longitudinal wave called?
Compressions and rarefactions
What is a wave’s amplitude?
The maximum displacement of a point on a wave from its undisturbed position
What is wavelength?
The distance from a point on a wave to the same position on the adjacent wave
(Peak to peak or trough to trough)
What is the frequency of a wave?
The number of waves that pass a given point each second
What is the unit used for frequency?
Hertz, Hz
What is wave speed?
The speed at which the wave moves or at which energy is transferred through a medium
What does a wave transfer?
Energy
What’s the equation used to calculate wave speed?
Wave speed(m/s)=Frequency(Hz) x Wavelength(m)
What word is used to describe when a wave bounces off a surface?
Reflection
How do you sound wave travel through a solid?
The particles in the solid vibrate and transfer kinetic energy through the material
What is the frequency range for human hearing?
20Hz - 20kHz
What are ultrasound waves?
Waves which have a frequency higher than the upper limit of human hearing
Order the electromagnetic waves from lowest to highest frequency:
Radio
Microwaves
Infrared
Visible
Ultraviolet
X-rays
Gamma
How do the speeds of EM waves differ in a vacuum and in air?
EM waves all travel at the same speed in a vacuum and in air
In which direction do waves refract when entering a denser medium:
They bend towards the normal
What type of waves can be produced by oscillations in an electrical circuit?
Radio waves
Where do gamma rays originate from?
They originate from changes in the nuclei of atoms
What health effects can UV waves cause?
Premature skin ageing
Increase risk of skin cancer
What health effects can X-rays and gamma rays cause?
They are ionising radiation so can cause mutations in genes
Lead to increased risk of developing cancers
