waves Flashcards
(20 cards)
what is frequency of waves and what unit
number of waves per second
hertz Hz
what is period in waves
time for one complete oscillation (wave cycle)
what do waves tranfer
ENERGY not matter
what is the wavelength of a wave
from one point eg peak to next peak
what is the peak of a wave
highest point
what is the trough of a wave
lowest point
what is amplitude of wave
upper to middle section
OR
lower to middle section
what do longitudinal waves do and what’s an example of one
oscillations are parallel to direction of energy transfer
sound wave
what do transverse waves do and what’s an example of one
oscillations are perpendicular to direction of energy transfer
light wave
what happens as you go up the electromagnetic spectrum (radio to gamma)
wavelength decreases
frequency increases
energy increases
what is order of electromagnetic spectrum
radio wave
microwave
infrared radiation
visible light
ultraviolet
x-ray
gamma ray
what do all electromagnetic waves have in common
all travel at the speed of light
what is use of radio waves
communicating eg a radio
what is use of microwave
cooking eg microwave - oven
what is use of infrared radiation
optical fibres
cooking eg toaster
what is use of visible light
optical fibres
what are the 3 ionising components of the electromagnetic spectrum
ultraviolet
x-rays
gamma rays
what is use of ultraviolet
tanning
security
what is use of x-rays
medical scans
airport security
what is use of gamma rays
cancer treatment
sterilising
