Waves

• what is the wave equation?

  $v =$ f x /\
• what are transverse waves?

  Waves that oscillate perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation.
• what are longitudinal waves?

  Waves that oscillate parallel to the direction of energy transfer.
• what are some examples of transverse waves?

  • electromagnetic
  • water waves
  • radio waves
• what are some examples of longitudinal waves?

  • sound waves
  • seismic p waves
• what is the equation for frequency?


  f = 1/T
• what does ROYGBIV stand for? Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet
• what does RMIVUXG stand for?

  radio, microwaves, infra red, visible light, UV rays, X rays and Gamma rays
• what's the use of radio waves?


  communication such as TV and radio
• what's the use of microwaves?

  they are used in phones, ovens and satellite communication

  they are a bit harmful as they cause internal tissue heating
• what is the use of infra red?


  they are used in remote controls

  it is harmful as it can cause skin burns
• what is the use of visible light?

  vision and fibre optic communication

  can cause blindness
• what is the use of UV?

  • it is used in sun beds and security bank noting
  • ultra violet is ionising
  • can mutate cells and cause skin cancer
• what is the use of X Rays?

  • it is used to see broken bones and image luggage
  • it is ionising
  • x rays should not be used on pregnant women instead use ultra sound
• what is the use of Gamma radiation?

  • to sterilise food and medical equipment
  • used in radiotherapy to kill cancerous cells
  • most ionising
• angle of incidence = angle of reflection
• waves reflect, transmit and absorb
• specular = mirror, smooth surface, no air spaces, no pores, no pits, no cracks, no crevices
• diffuse = rough, paper