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Physics Topic 4 > Waves > Flashcards

Waves Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the primary function of waves?

A

Waves transfer energy without transferring matter

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2
Q

What is wavelength?

A

Distance between the same points on two consecutive waves

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3
Q

Define amplitude in the context of waves.

A

Distance from equilibrium line to the maximum displacement (crest or trough)

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4
Q

What is frequency?

A

The number of waves that pass a single point per second

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5
Q

What does the period of a wave represent?

A

The time taken for a whole wave to completely pass a single point

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6
Q

What is wavefront?

A

The plane in which the wave travels (i.e. the direction of the wave)

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7
Q

Write the formula for wave velocity.

A

v = frequency x wavelength

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8
Q

What is the unit of wave speed?

A

Metre/second (m/s)

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9
Q

How is wave speed calculated?

A

Wave speed = frequency (hertz, Hz) × wavelength (metre, m)

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10
Q

What happens to velocity when frequency increases?

A

Velocity increases

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11
Q

What is the relationship between wavelength and velocity?

A

Wavelength increases, velocity increases

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12
Q

What is the relationship between period and frequency?

A

Period is inversely proportional to frequency

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13
Q

True or False: A smaller period results in lower frequency.

A

False

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14
Q

What are transverse waves?

A

Waves with peaks and troughs; vibrations are at right angles to the direction of travel

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15
Q

Give examples of transverse waves.

A
  • Light waves
  • Electromagnetic waves
  • Seismic S waves
  • Water waves
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16
Q

What are longitudinal waves?

A

Waves that have compressions and rarefactions; vibrations are in the same direction as the direction of travel

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17
Q

Give examples of longitudinal waves.

A
  • Sound waves
  • Seismic P waves
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18
Q

How can sound velocity in air be measured?

A

By making a noise at ~50m from a solid wall and recording the time for the echo to be heard

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19
Q

What is another method to measure sound velocity?

A

Using two microphones connected to a datalogger and recording the time difference between the sound passing

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20
Q

How can the velocity of ripples on water surface be measured?

A

Using a stroboscope with the same frequency as the water waves

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21
Q

What is the method of using a pencil to measure wave speed?

A

Move a pencil along the paper at the same speed as a wavefront, then measure time taken and length of the line

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22
Q

What happens to a wave when it passes into a more optically denser medium?

A

The wave will be refracted at the boundary and will change direction to bend towards the normal

This occurs when a wave travels from air to glass.

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23
Q

What happens to the speed and wavelength of a wave when it enters a denser medium?

A

Speed decreases and wavelength decreases

Energy of a wave is constant, and energy is directly linked to frequency.

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24
Q

What is the relationship between angle of incidence and angle of reflection?

A

The angle of incidence = angle of reflection

This principle applies when light reflects off a flat surface.

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25
What happens to light when it reflects off a smooth surface?
The stronger the reflected wave is ## Footnote Smoother surfaces produce clearer reflections.
26
What causes light to appear matte and non-reflective?
Rough surfaces scatter the light in all directions ## Footnote This scattering effect prevents clear reflection.
27
What is transmission in the context of waves?
Waves will pass through a transparent material ## Footnote The more transparent the material, the more light will pass through.
28
What occurs when the frequency of light matches the energy levels of electrons in a material?
The light will be absorbed by the electrons and not reemitted ## Footnote This results in the particular frequency being absorbed.
29
If a material appears green, what does that indicate about the light it interacts with?
Only green light has been reflected, and the rest of the frequencies in visible light have been absorbed ## Footnote This is a result of selective absorption and reflection.
30
What is the role of the outer ear?
Collects sound and channels it down the ear canal ## Footnote The outer ear plays a crucial role in sound wave transmission.
31
What happens when sound waves hit the eardrum?
The eardrum vibrates at the same frequency as the sound wave ## Footnote This vibration is essential for sound perception.
32
What is transmitted to the fluid in the inner ear after the eardrum vibrates?
Vibrations of the bones ## Footnote The stirrup bone is one of the small bones that vibrates.
33
What type of waves are transferred to the fluid in the cochlea?
Compression waves ## Footnote These waves are crucial for hearing.
34
Fill in the blank: The _______ is a tightly stretched membrane that vibrates as incoming pressure waves reach it.
eardrum
35
What effect does wavelength have on different substances?
Different substances may absorb, transmit, refract or reflect waves depending on their wavelength ## Footnote For example, glass transmits/refracts visible light and reflects UV.
36
What is refraction?
Waves passing from one medium to another change direction at the boundary ## Footnote This occurs when a wave moves into a more optically denser medium, such as from air to glass.
37
What happens to the speed of a wave when it refracts into a denser medium?
The speed decreases
38
What happens to the wavelength of a wave when it refracts into a denser medium?
The wavelength decreases
39
What is the relationship between energy, frequency, and wavelength of a wave?
Energy is constant; if frequency is constant and speed decreases, wavelength must also decrease.
40
What does the angle of incidence equal?
The angle of reflection
41
True or False: Light will reflect off an opaque surface if it is not absorbed by the material.
True
42
What happens to light energy when electrons absorb it?
Electrons reemit it as a reflected wave.
43
What is transmission in the context of waves?
Waves passing through a transparent material while still emerging.
44
What occurs if the frequency of light matches the energy levels of electrons?
The light will be absorbed by the electrons and not reemitted.
45
If a material appears green, what does that indicate about the light frequencies?
Only green light has been reflected; other frequencies have been absorbed.
46
How do different substances interact with waves based on their wavelength?
They may absorb, transmit, refract, or reflect waves.
47
What does glass do with visible light?
Transmits and refracts visible light.
48
What does glass do with UV light?
Reflects UV light.
49
What is the role of the outer ear?
Collects sound and channels it down the ear canal.
50
What happens to sound waves as they travel down the ear canal?
They remain a pressure air wave.
51
What is the function of the eardrum?
Vibrates at the same frequency as the incoming sound wave.
52
What happens to the small bones connected to the eardrum?
They vibrate at the same frequency as the sound wave.
53
What do vibrations of the bones in the ear transmit to?
The fluid in the inner ear (the cochlea).
54
What type of waves are transferred to the fluid in the cochlea?
Compression waves.
55
What is the role of the eardrum in hearing?
The eardrum vibrates at the same frequency as the sound wave. ## Footnote The eardrum is a tightly stretched membrane that vibrates when sound waves hit it.
56
How do the small bones in the ear contribute to hearing?
The small bones act as an amplifier of the sound waves the eardrum receives. ## Footnote These bones vibrate at the same frequency as the eardrum.
57
What happens to the fluid in the cochlea when the bones vibrate?
Vibrations of the bones are transmitted to the fluid in the inner ear (the cochlea). ## Footnote Compression waves are thus transferred to the fluid.
58
What is the function of the hairs in the cochlea?
Each hair is sensitive to different sound frequencies, moving more for certain frequencies. ## Footnote The hairs come from nerve cells and release electrical impulses to the brain.
59
What occurs when a hair in the cochlea moves?
It releases an electrical impulse to the brain, which interprets this as sound. ## Footnote The hair that moves corresponds to the specific frequency received.
60
What is the relationship between frequency and energy in sound waves?
The higher the frequency, the more energy the wave has. ## Footnote Higher frequencies can damage cells in the ear more quickly.
61
What is ultrasound?
Ultrasound is a sound wave with a frequency higher than 20,000 Hz. ## Footnote It has various applications, including sonar and foetal scanning.
62
What are the uses of ultrasound in sonar?
It calculates the depth by sending a pulse of ultrasound below a ship and measuring the time taken for the reflection to return. ## Footnote It can detect shoals of fish or the seabed distance.
63
How is ultrasound used in foetal scanning?
It creates an image of the foetus, allowing measurements to check normal development. ## Footnote Ultrasound waves partially reflect at each surface boundary.
64
What is infrasound?
Infrasound is a sound wave with a frequency lower than 20 Hz, also known as seismic waves. ## Footnote It includes P waves and S waves.
65
What are P and S waves in the context of infrasound?
P waves are longitudinal and pass through solids and liquids; S waves are transverse and only pass through solids. ## Footnote S waves move slower than P waves.
66
What does the detection of only P waves on the opposite side of an earthquake suggest?
It suggests that the core of the Earth is liquid, as S waves cannot penetrate it. ## Footnote This is evidenced by the absence of S waves detected.

Physics Topic 4 (2 decks)

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