Waves Flashcards
(39 cards)
Example of a transverse wave
Ripples in a pond
What are longitudinal waves
When the vibrations are parallel to the direction of travel
Example of longitudinal waves
Sound waves
What is a progressive wave
A wave that transfers energy without transferring matter
What is amplitude
The height of a crest of the depth of a trough measures from the mid line of a wave in meters
What is wavelength
The distance between two points in a wave such as two crests or two troughs
What is frequency
The number of waves to pass a point per second measured in hertz
What is the time period
The time taken for 1 wave to pass a point measured in seconds
Link frequency and time period
T=1/F
What is the wave equation
Wavespeed=frequency x wavelength
What is the law of reflection
The angle if incidence equals the angle of reflection
What is a real image
When the rays of light do go through the image
What is a virtual image
When the rays of light do not pass through the image
What happens during refraction in air
Due to the wave slowing down as it enters a more optically dense medium which results in the angle of incidence decreasing.
When the wave reaches a less optically dense medium, the angle of refraction is larger than the angle of incidence as the wave speeds up
What happens in refraction in water
When the wave hits deep water, the angle of refraction is bigger than the angle of incidence as the wave speeds up. When the wave hits the shallow water, the angle of refraction is smaller than the angle of incidence as the wave slows down.
What is diffraction
When the waves curve and spread out as they pass through a gap. The closer the size of gap to the wavelength, the greater the diffraction and curvature
How to measure the speed of sound in air
Speed=distance/time
How does frequency affect pitch
The higher the frequency, the higher the pitch
How does amplitude affect volume
The higher the amplitude, the louder the volume
How do solids affect sound
As particles in a solid are tighly packed, the sound travels fastest and easiest through solids
How do liquid affect sound
As the particles in the liquid are touching, the sound travels fast but not as fast as the solid
How do gases affect sound
Particles in a gas are spread out and sound travels slowest through this medium
How does a vacuum affect sound
No sound can be heard as there are no particles in a vacuum
What are transverse waves
When the vibrations are perpendicular to the direction that the wave is travelling
