physics - midterms

    Cards (64)

    • What are the two types of waves?
      Transverse and longitudinal
    • How are oscillations in a transverse wave oriented?
      Perpendicular to energy transfer direction
    • How are oscillations in a longitudinal wave oriented?
      Parallel to energy transfer direction
    • What do longitudinal waves show?
      Areas of compression and rarefaction
    • What type of wave are sound waves in air?
      Longitudinal waves
    • What evidence shows that waves travel and not the medium?
      • Ripples move across water without water moving
      • Sound travels through air without air moving
    • What are the four characteristics used to describe waves?
      Amplitude, wavelength, frequency, period
    • What is the amplitude of a wave?
      Maximum displacement from undisturbed position
    • How is wavelength defined?
      Distance from one wave point to equivalent point
    • What is the frequency of a wave?
      Number of waves passing a point each second
    • What is the formula for period?
      Period [T] = 1/f
    • What does the period of a wave represent?
      Time for one wave to pass a point
    • What is wave speed?
      Speed at which energy is transferred
    • What is the wave equation?
      Wave speed = frequency x wavelength
    • What happens to waves at the boundary of different materials?
      They can be reflected, absorbed, or transmitted
    • How do you construct ray diagrams for a plane mirror?
      Draw incident and reflected rays to locate image
    • What are the properties of an image in a plane mirror?
      Virtual, same size, laterally inverted
    • How do you illustrate the refraction of a wave?
      Draw incident and refracted rays at boundary
    • When does refraction not occur?
      When wave enters at 90° to surface
    • What type of waves are electromagnetic waves?
      Transverse waves
    • What do electromagnetic waves transfer?
      Energy from source to absorber
    • How are electromagnetic waves grouped?
      By wavelength and frequency
    • What is the order of the electromagnetic spectrum from long to short wavelength?
      Radio, microwave, infra-red, visible light, ultra-violet, X-rays, gamma-rays
    • What can our eyes detect?
      Visible light
    • What are the hazardous effects of ultra-violet waves?
      Can cause skin aging and skin cancer
    • What are the effects of X-rays and gamma rays?
      Can cause gene mutation and cancer
    • What is radiation dose measured in?
      Sieverts
    • What are practical applications of electromagnetic waves?
      • Radio waves: television and radio
      • Microwaves: satellite communications, cooking
      • Infrared: electrical heaters, cooking, cameras
      • Visible light: fibre optic communications
      • Ultraviolet: energy-efficient lamps, tanning
      • X-rays: medical imaging and treatments
    • How can you measure the speed of sound waves in air?
      Use timing methods or echo techniques
    • How can you measure the speed of ripples on water?
      Use timing methods or wave frequency
    • How do sound waves affect solids?
      They cause vibrations in the solid
    • What happens to sound waves in the ear?
      They cause the ear drum to vibrate
    • What limits human hearing?
      Frequency range of sound wave vibrations
    • What happens when insulating materials are rubbed together?
      They become electrically charged
    • What happens to electrons when materials are rubbed?
      Electrons are transferred from one material to another
    • What charge does a material gain when it receives electrons?
      Negatively charged
    • What charge does a material lose when it gives away electrons?
      Positively charged
    • What happens when two charged objects are brought close together?
      They exert a force on each other
    • What happens when two objects with the same charge are near each other?
      They repel each other
    • What happens when two objects with different charges are near each other?
      They attract each other
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