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Waves Flashcards

(60 cards)

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1
Q

Wavelength

A

The distance between two successive waves is usually measured in metres. measured ‘peak to peak’ or ‘trough to trough’

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2
Q

Frequency

A

The number of waves produced per second. measured in Hertz (Hz), which means cycles per second.

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3
Q

How many dimensions can waves travel in?

A

Three

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4
Q

Longitudinal Waves

A

The particles vibrate back and forth in the same direction of the wave - eg. sound waves

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5
Q

Transverse Waves

A

Transverse waves vibrate at right angles to the direction of motion of the wave - eg. ocean waves, slinky

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6
Q

Wave Motion

A

The transfer of energy without the transfer of matter. two types of waves can transfer energy - transverse and longitudinal waves

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7
Q

Explain the theory behind the different speeds of sound

A

Sound is a vibration of kinetic energy passed from one molecule to another. The closer the molecules, the less time it takes for them to pass sound to each other.

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8
Q

Speed

A

How far the wave travels in a certain period of time

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9
Q

Pitch

A

Perceived frequency of a sound (high/low). directly connected to the frequency of a wave, which is connected to the wavelength. The higher the frequency/shorter the wavelength, the higher the pitch

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10
Q

Loudness

A

Intensity of sound energy (amplitude). a bigger amplitude results in a louder sound. the amplitude is the maximum displacement of wave from the rest position

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11
Q

What is a sound wave?

A

The movement of alternating compressions and rarefactions

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12
Q

Compressions and Rarefactions

A

When something vibrates, it passes the vibration into its surrounding environment, such as air. The vibration creates regions of space in which the air particles are bunched together, called compressions, and regions in which they are more spread out, called rarefactions.

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13
Q

How is sound produced?

A

When something vibrates, it moves back and forth very quickly.

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14
Q

Scientific Notation

A

Often used to describe the size of EM waves, so that the large and small numbers are easier to read and write.

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15
Q

How the electromagnetic waves affect substances/objects it enters

A

When a substance absorbs any kind of electromagnetic radiation, it also absorbs its energy. the substance may heat up/change in some way. eg. sunlight causes sand on a beach to heat up

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16
Q

How electromagnetic waves travel

A

They all travel at the speed of light (300 000 km/s) and through empty space, gases, liquids, and some solids.

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17
Q

Radiation to electromagnetic wave to wavelength

A

As energy of radiation increases, the frequency of electromagnetic waves increases, and the wavelength decreases

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18
Q

Electromagnetic spectrum.

A

The entire range of frequencies of electromagnetic radiation that can be produced. Travel at the speed of light, do not require a medium.

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19
Q

Electromagnetism

A

Interaction of electric and magnetic fields. changing magnetic and electric fields travel through space as transverse waves at right angles to each other.

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20
Q

Law of Reflection

A

On reflection from a smooth surface, the angle of the reflected ray is equal to the angle of incident ray

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21
Q

What is refraction?

A

Light bending at a boundary between two media.

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22
Q

When does refraction occur?

A

Refracts whenever it travels at an angle into a substance with a different refractive index (optical density)

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23
Q

What happens when light enters a substance of a lower/higher refractive index?

A

If lower, bends away from normal, speeds up. If higher, bends towards the normal line, slows down

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24
Q

What is an example of refraction?

A

Distortion of objects underwater, Lenses in eyeglasses or cameras

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25
What happens when light changes speed
If a substance causes light to speed up/slow down, it will bend more.
26
How does a change in speed and angle of the incident ray change the amount of bending of light?
If light enters a substance at a greater angle, the amount of refraction will be more noticeable.
27
Amount of bending of light depends on:
Change in speed, angle of incident ray.
28
What is an example of reflection?
Seeing objects in smooth surfaces, Looking in the mirror
29
What is a lens?
Transparent piece of plastic, glass shaped to curve inwards/outwards, refracts light and focuses it to form images
30
Critical Angle
Angle of incidence causing light to refract along boundary.
31
Convex Lens
Lens that bulges outward, converges light rays. can be used as magnifying glass if help close to object. if far away, used to form 'real' image
32
Concave Lens
Lens that curves inward, diverges light rays. spreads light parallel, as though rays come from a point behind the lens. it only produces smaller, upright, virtual images
33
Viewing objects under coloured lights
When a red light is placed on an object, it will only emit red wavelengths. If an object is a different colour, it absorbs the red light, making it appear black (no light reflected)
34
Primary Colours
Red, green, blue; combine to create white light. Two primary colours can be combined to create the secondary colours.
35
Secondary Colours
Magenta, cyan, yellow; formed by combining primary colours.
36
Subtractive Colour Mixing
Mixing more paint pigments absorbs more light, appears darker.
37
Total internal reflection
When light at the critical angle is refracted so far away from the normal that it runs along the boundary. light reflected from the boundary as if it is a mirror
38
White car vs Black car
White reflects most light, while black reflects little light (absorbs) therefore, black objects get hotter faster
39
White light
white light can be made by shining all colours together, also made by shining red, green blue together (primary colours)
40
Colour Vision
three types of colour-sensitive photoreceptor cells (cones). each is sensitive to different primary colours
41
How does heat travel through solids, liquids, and gases?
Conduction, Convection, Radiation. Conduction is through solids. Convection is through liquids and gases. Radiation is through gases and vacuum.
42
Use the particle model to explain conduction
The transfer of heat energy through a material when particles collide. It goes from hotter, more energetic particles to cooler, less energetic particles.
43
Use the particle model to explain convection
Warmer, less dense particles rise, and then cooler particles replace the space, therefore being exposed to the heat, consequently also being heated up. This creates a convection current
44
Everyday examples of heat transfers
Feeling a hot cup of coffee (conduction), feeling warmth of fire (radiation), boiling water (convection)
45
Amplitude
The maximum distance the wave extends beyond its resting position
46
What is the equation to figure out the speed of a wave?
v = fλ(in metres/second) v (wave speed) f (frequency) λ (wavelength)
47
Relate frequency to musical instruments
Musical instruments produce sounds by vibrating at specific natural frequencies, creating different pitches. For example, a stringed instrument produces a pitch based on the length and tension of the string.
48
Relate wavelength to musical instruments
Longer wavelengths (lower frequencies) travel further than shorter wavelengths (higher frequencies). This explains why bass and drums are often heard more clearly over a longer distance than high-pitched instruments
49
Difference in frequency and wavelengths of EM spectrum
Radio waves, with lower frequencies, had higher wavelengths, while Gamma Rays had the shortest wavelengths
50
Plane Lens
The surface is flat, and the lights reflect off the surface, creating an image. The image is upright, the same size, and laterally inverted.
51
Absorption
When an object absorbs the light rays, rather than reflecting it.
52
What conditions are required for total internal reflection?
The light needs to travel from an object with a higher refractive index to a lower refractive index. The angle of incidence needs to be greater than the critical angle.
53
Everyday examples of total internal reflection
Diamonds sparkling. The critical angle for total internal reflection is small. This causes light entering the diamond to be reflected many times within the gem, contributing to its sparkle.
54
Oscillation
A repeated action back and forth or up and down
55
Period
The time it takes for one complete wave to pass (measured in seconds). Like wavelength, except a time measurement
56
Electromagnetic Spectrum order
Gamma Ray (10^-12)-> X-ray -> Ultraviolet -> Visible -> Infrared -> Microwave -> Radio (10^3)
57
Angle of incidence is less than the critical angle?
Ray is refracted with a very small reflection
58
Angle of incidence is equal to the critical angle?
Ray emerges along edge of the block
59
Angle of incidence is greater than the critical angle?
Ray is totally internally reflected
60
Diffusion vs Regular reflection
Diffusion is when it reflects in a bunch of different directions, while regular is when it reflects in the same direction

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