Waves Part 1 Flashcards
(24 cards)
What is a progressive wave?
A wave that transports energy by causing vibrations in the medium or material through which it moves.
What is the difference between a mechanical wave and an electromagnetic wave?
A mechanical wave requires a substance through which to travel, while an electromagnetic wave does not require a medium through which to travel.
What is a transverse wave?
In a transverse wave, the vibration of the medium is perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the wave.
What is a longitudinal wave?
In a longitudinal wave, the vibrations of the medium are parallel to the direction of propagation of the wave.
What is a compression?
A compression is where the particles of a material are closest together as a longitudinal wave passes through it.
What is a rarefaction?
A rarefaction is where the particles of a material are furthest apart as a longitudinal wave passes through it.
What is the period, T, of a wave?
The period of a wave is the time taken to make one complete vibrational cycle (s).
What is the frequency, f, of a wave?
The frequency is the number of complete waves that pass a point in one second. (Hz)
Which formula relates period and frequency?
T = 1/f
What is the amplitude of a wave?
The amplitude of a wave is the maximum displacement of a particle of the medium from its equilibrium position. (m)
What is the wavelength of a wave?
The wavelength is defined as the distance the wave form progresses in the periodic time T. (m)
What is phase difference?
Phase difference is the fraction of a cycle by which one wave leads or lags another. Can be stated in degrees, radians or fraction of a wavelength.
How do you find phase difference in degrees?
phase diff = (x / λ) × 360° or phase diff = (t / T) × 360°
Where x is the distance between the peaks of two waves and t is the time interval between the two peaks.
What is polarised light?
Light in which the vibrations have been confined to one plane.
What is the wave equation?
v = fλ
Where v is the velocity of the wave / ms-1, f is the frequency / Hz, and λ is the wavelength / m.
What is the wavelength range of visible light?
Visible light has a range from 400nm to 700nm.
What is the definition of phase difference?
Phase difference is the fraction of a cycle by which one wave leads or lags another.
What is the typical wavelength of gamma rays?
≤ 10^-11 m
What is the typical wavelength of X-rays?
10^-10 m
What is the typical wavelength of ultraviolet light?
10^-8 m
What is the typical wavelength of visible light?
5 x 10^-7 m
What is the typical wavelength of infrared light?
10^-4 m
What is the typical wavelength of microwaves?
10^-2 m
What is the typical wavelength of radio waves?
1 m
