PHYSICS - waves

• What does the loudness of a sound wave depend on?

  The amplitude of the vibrations
• How does sound cause compressions and rarefactions?

  Sound vibrations create compressions and rarefactions through the air
• What determines the loudness of sound in our ears?

  The amplitude of vibrations in our eardrum
• How is pitch related to frequency?

  Higher pitched notes have higher frequencies
• What does timbre refer to in sound?

  How the same wave sounds different from different places
• What is pitch in relation to sound waves?

  How a wave or musical note sounds to us
• What affects the timbre of a sound?

  The shape of its waveform
• How can two notes have the same frequency and amplitude but sound different?

  If their waveforms are of different shapes
• What unit is used to measure frequency?

  Hertz (Hz)
• What unit is used to measure the period of a wave?

  Seconds (s)
• What unit is used to measure how far a wave travels?

  Metres (m)
• What is the formula for wave speed?

  Wave speed = metres/seconds (m/s)
• What is a transverse wave?

  A wave where vibrations occur at 90° to the direction of wave movement
• What is a longitudinal wave?

  A wave where the oscillations are parallel to the direction of wave propagation
• What does the term 'direction of propagation' refer to?

  The direction the wave is coming from
• How is amplitude measured?

  In meters (m)
• What is frequency?

  The number of waves that pass a point in the medium each second
• What is the unit of frequency?

  Hertz (Hz)
• What is the period (T) of a wave?

  The time taken for one complete vibration of the source
• What is the unit of period?

  Seconds (s)
• What is a wavefront?

  An imaginary surface representing points of a wave that vibrate in unison
• What is the symbol for wavelength?

  Lambda (λ)
• How is wavelength measured?

  In meters (m)
• What is the distance measured for wavelength?

  The distance between two consecutive peaks or troughs
• What do waves transfer?

  Energy and information
• What is the equation for frequency in relation to period?

  T = 1/f or f = 1/T
• What is the equation for wave velocity?

  V = fλ
• How can you rearrange the equation for wavelength?

  λ = V/f
• What are the types of waves and their characteristics?

  • Transverse Waves:
  • Vibrations occur at 90° to wave direction
  • Longitudinal Waves:
  • Oscillations are parallel to wave direction
• What are the types of electromagnetic waves and their uses?

  • Radio: Communication
  • Microwaves: Cooking
  • Infrared: Heat detection
  • Visible Light: Sight
  • Ultraviolet: Sterilization
  • X-rays: Medical imaging
  • Gamma: Cancer treatment
• What is the range of visible light wavelengths?

  • 400-700 nanometers
• What are the protective measures for ultraviolet and X-ray exposure?

  • Ultraviolet: Sunscreen, protective clothing
  • X-rays: Lead aprons, limited exposure
• Waves can be transverse or longitudinal, depending on whether they oscillate perpendicular to or parallel to their direction of travel.
• The wavelength is the distance between two consecutive points on a wave that are in phase.
• Transverse waves have crests and troughs at right angles to the direction of energy transfer (e.g., light).
• Transverse waves are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer.
• Period is the time taken by an object to complete one cycle.
• Amplitude is the maximum displacement from equilibrium position.
• Frequency is the number of complete cycles (waves) passing through a point in one second.
• Frequency is measured in hertz (Hz) and represents the number of complete cycles completed by a wave in one second.