Physics y10

• What do waves transfer from one place to another?

  Energy
• How does our brain interpret the energy from waves?

  It builds up images and tunes from the light and sounds received
• What is the relationship between waves and oscillation?


  Waves vibrate or oscillate to travel from one place to another
• What is the maximum displacement of a wave called?

  Amplitude
• What is the distance of one entire oscillation called?

  Wavelength
• What is the opposite of the crest in a wave?

  Trough
• What does a displacement time graph show?

  It shows oscillation over time instead of distance
• What is the time period of a wave?

  The time it takes for one complete oscillation
• If the time period of a wave is $0.5 \text{ seconds}$, what is its frequency?


  $2 \text{ Hz}$
• How do you calculate the frequency of a wave?

  Frequency = 1 / Time period
• If a wave has a frequency of $4 \text{ Hz}$, what is its time period?


  $0.25 \text{ seconds}$
• What is the equation to find the speed of a wave?

  Wave speed = Wavelength × Frequency
• If a sound wave has a frequency of $400 \text{ Hz}$ and a wavelength of $70 \text{ cm}$, what is its wave speed?


  $280 \text{ m/s}$
• What are transverse waves?

  Waves where oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer
• What are examples of transverse waves?

  Electromagnetic waves, ripples in water, and guitar strings
• What are longitudinal waves?

  Waves where oscillations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer
• What is a characteristic of longitudinal waves?

  They create regions of compression and rarefaction
• What are examples of longitudinal waves?

  Sound waves and seismic p waves
• What are the key differences between transverse and longitudinal waves?

  • Transverse waves: oscillations are perpendicular to energy transfer
  • Longitudinal waves: oscillations are parallel to energy transfer
  • Examples: Transverse (light, water), Longitudinal (sound, seismic p waves)
• What is the electromagnetic spectrum?

  It is the entire range of electromagnetic waves.
• What type of waves are electromagnetic waves?

  They are all transverse waves.
• How do electromagnetic waves oscillate?

  They oscillate perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer.
• What is the speed of electromagnetic waves in a vacuum?

  They travel at exactly $3 \times 10^8 \text{ m/s}$.
• How do electromagnetic waves behave in different mediums?


  They travel at different speeds, which can lead to refraction.
• How many basic types of electromagnetic waves are there?

  There are seven basic types.
• What differentiates the types of electromagnetic waves?

  Their wavelength and frequency.
• What is the relationship between wavelength and frequency?

  They are inversely related.
• If the frequency of a wave increases, what happens to its wavelength?

  The wavelength decreases.
• Which type of electromagnetic wave has the largest wavelength?

  Radio waves.
• Which type of electromagnetic wave has the smallest wavelength?

  Gamma rays.
• What is the range of wavelengths for radio waves?

  They vary from multiple kilometers.
• What is the range of wavelengths for gamma rays?

  They are less than a thousandth of a nanometer.
• What part of the electromagnetic spectrum can human eyes detect?

  Visible light.
• What gives us the different colors we can see in visible light?

  The different wavelengths within this region.
• What types of electromagnetic waves can be ionizing and cause damage to cells?

  Ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays.
• Where do electromagnetic waves come from?


  They come from everywhere.
• What can cause gamma rays to be emitted?

  Radioactive decay.
• What can cause visible light, ultraviolet, and X-rays to be emitted?

  When electrons drop down energy levels.
• What generates infrared radiation?

  Vibrations of the bonds that hold molecules together.
• What happens to electromagnetic waves when they come into contact with something?

  They can be reflected, absorbed, or transmitted.