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Waves Flashcards

(61 cards)

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1
Q

define amplitude

A

waves maximum displacement from the equilibrium position

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2
Q

define frequency

A

number of complete oscillation past a fixed point per second

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3
Q

define wavelength

A

Length of one oscillation

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4
Q

what is phase

A

position of a certain point in the wavecycle measured in degrees or radians

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5
Q

what is Time period

A

time taken for one full oscillation

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6
Q

what is a progressive wave

A

made up of a medium that oscillates in order to transfer energy without transferring matter

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7
Q

what are the high and low pressure areas in a longitudinal wave called

A

compressions and rarefactions

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8
Q

what does it mean if two waves are in phase
what properties need to be the same

A

The two waves reach there maximum and minimum values of displacement at the same time
they must have the same frequency

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9
Q

what is the phase difference of two in phase waves

A

2π

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10
Q

what does it mean if two points on the wave cycle are exactly out of phase

A

Phase difference of π
- one wave will have a maximum peak at the same instant the other with have minimum peak

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11
Q

what does a polarizing filter do

A

only allows oscillations in one plane

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12
Q

What types of waves can be polarized

A

Transverse waves

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13
Q

what provides evidence for the nature of transverse wave

A

Polarization
only waves which oscillate perpendicular to direction of travel can be polarized therefore if provides evidence that transvers waves oscillate perpendicular

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14
Q

what is an example of a polaroid

A

Sunglasses

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15
Q

how is polarization used in broadcasting

A

TV/Radio waves are plane polarized by transmitting areal therefore receiving areal must be in the same plane to receive signal at full strength

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16
Q

what is Superposition

A

The vector sum of displacements of waves are combined when they pass over each other

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17
Q

what are Coherent waves

A

Waves that have a constant phase relationship overtime
the must have same frequency and wavelentgh and velocity (if travelling in the same medium)

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18
Q

what is constructive interference
what is perfect constructive interference

A

when two waves that have displacement in the same direction superimpose meaning the resulting amplitude is greater.

perfect constructive interference is when two coherent (same frequency and wavelength) waves with phase difference of 2π superimpose

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19
Q

what is destructive interference

what is perfect destructive interference

A

Occurs when two waves with displacement in opposite directions superimpose

when two coherent waves with a phase difference of π superimpose

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20
Q

What is a stationary wave

A

formed when two progressive waves travelling in opposite directions with the same frequency wavelength and amplitude superimpose

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21
Q

how much energy is transferred via a stationary wave

A

0

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22
Q

what is an antinode

A

Point on a stationary wave with maximum displacement. Constructive interference occurs

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23
Q

what is a node

A

Point on a stationary wave where displacement is zero
destructive interference occours

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24
Q

how can you make a stationary microwave

A
  • Aim microwaves at metal plate and use microwave detector to detect position of antinode and nodes
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25
How can a stationary sound wave be produced
- Place a speaker at the end of a closed glass tube and laying powder along the bottom of the tube - powder is shaken at the antinodes and will settle at the nodes
26
what is path difference
difference in distance travelled by two waves from there source
27
what does in phase mean in context of velocity and displacement
on a single wave, when too waves are in phase they are at the same point in the wave cycle therefore will have the same displacement and velocity
28
what is refraction
when a wave enters a different medium causing a change in direction and speed
29
what is diffraction
spreading out of waves as they pass through or around a gap
30
what is a diffraction grating
slide containing lot of equally spaced slits very close together
31
what happens when monochromatic light is diffracted through a single slit
diffraction pattern of bright central fringe double the width of the other fringes
32
what happens when monochromatic light is passed through a diffraction grating
interference pattern of alternating bright maxima and dark minima.
33
what is the difference between interference patterns of single slit and diffraction grating
for diffraction grating: - intensity is much greater - there isn't as much of a fall in intensity as orders of maxima increase
34
what effect does varying the slit width have of double and single slit diffraction pattern
- Reducing slit width: central maxima decreases intensity and become wider - increasing slit width central maxima becomes narrower and increases in intensity
35
what happens when white light is passed through a single slit
Central white maxima double the width of any other maxima with alternating dark and light fringes with violet closest to center and red furthest away
36
what happens as wavelength increases in a diffraction grating experiment
distance between maximas increases
37
what is a coherent light source
emits light with constant phase difference over time (same frequency and wavelength)
38
what is monochromatic light source
A light source that only emits a small range or a fixed wavelength
39
example of a coherent monochromatic light source
lazer
40
why are lazers used in experiments
they create a clear interference pattern and are precise
41
what was Youngs Double slit experiment
Coherent monochromatic light shone through a double slit creating a diffraction pattern
42
how are maxima's and minima's created in the diffraction pattern
at maxima's light interferes constructively at minima light interferes destructively
43
how can you make sure light is monochromatic in YDS experiment
- use laser - use filter - shine light through single slit before Double slit
44
when can the YDS experiment formula be used
when Distance between screen and slits is a lot greater than the slit separation
45
what does YDS experiment give evidence for.
Wave like nature of light - only waves can superimpose constructively and destructively
46
what safety precautions must be taken when dealing with lasers
safety goggles sign no reflective surfaces
47
What is a useful application of TIR
optical fibres
48
when does TIR occour
when n1>n2 and when angle of incidence is greater than the critical angle
49
describe the structure of an optical fiber
optically dense core surrounded by less optically dense cladding allowing TIR
50
what is the purpose of cladding
- protection - allowing TIR which prevents signal degradation
51
what is the critical angle
angle of incidence where the angle of refraction is π/2
52
how could you create a interference pattern using soundwaves
tow speaker connected to the same signal generator. intensity of waves and location of maxim and minima can be measure using a microphone
53
what are the two type of signal degradation in optical fibres
Absorption Dispersion
54
describe absorption
where part of the signals energy is absorbed leading to loss in amplitude and loss of information
55
what are the two types of dispersion
modal and material dispersion
56
what is material dispertion how can it be prevented
material dispersion is caused by using lights of different wavelengths therefore they travel at different speeds leading to pulse broadening can be prevented by using monochromatic light
57
what is modal dispersion how can modal dispersion be reduced
- light enters fiber at different angles therefore changes total distance travelled by light rays leading to pulse broadening - making the core very narrow
58
how can both dispersion and absorption be solved
using a signal repeater
59
explain evidence that suggests that electron beams act as waves when diffracted
- There is an interference pattern (like light) with maxima's and minima's - the pattern follows the formula nλ=dsinθ - if particles didn't act as waves there would be random scattering and one bright spot in the center
60
in terms of phase, what points on a stationary wave are in phase or antiphase
points between nodes are in phase points with an odd number of nodes between them are out of phase/antiphase points that have an even number of nodes between them a in phase
61
what is D in diffraction grating formula
distance between slits

Physics (13 decks)

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