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Edexcel iGCSE Physics > Waves > Flashcards

Flashcards in Waves Deck (16)
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1
Q

What is wavespeed?

A

The distance that 1 wave travels in 1 second

2
Q

What is amplitude?

A

The maximum particle displacement of the medium’s vibrations from the undisturbed position. (ie the distance from the middle line to either the top of a peak, or the bottom of a trough)

3
Q

What is time period?

A

Is the time taken for the wave source to produce 1 wave

4
Q

What is wavelength?

A

The distance between a point on one wave and exactly the same point on an adjacent wave.

5
Q

What are longitudinal waves?

A

Waves in which the direction of vibration is parallel to the direction of travel of the wave.

6
Q

What are transverse waves?

A

Waves in which the direction of vibration is perpendicular to the direction of travel of the wave.

7
Q

What is frequency?

A

The number of waves that pass a point in each second.

8
Q

What are echoes?

A

When sound waves are reflected off a surface.

9
Q

What units are used for frequency?

A

Hertz, Hz

10
Q

How are frequency, wavelength and wavespeed linked?

A

wavespeed = frequency x wavelength

11
Q

How are frequency and time period lined?

A

frequency = 1 / time period

12
Q

What is diffraction?

A

Waves spreading out (into shadow) when they pass through a gap or past an edge.

13
Q

What is the Law of Reflection?

A

Angle of incidence = angle of reflection

14
Q

What is refraction?

A

When a wave changes direction because of a difference in optical density (refractive index) when crossing a boundary between two materials.

15
Q

What is the relationship between the angle of incidence, the angle of refraction and the refractive index?

A

refractive index, n = sine i / sine r

16
Q

In the equation n = 1 / sine c, what is c?

A

The critical angle for the material with refractive index n