Waves

• What do waves transfer without transferring matter?

  Energy
• How do waves demonstrate energy transfer in the sea?

  Buoys stay still while waves pass by them
• What is the definition of wavelength?

  The distance between the same points on two consecutive waves

  
• What is amplitude in wave terminology?

  The distance from the equilibrium line to the maximum displacement

  
• How is frequency defined in wave physics?

  The number of waves that pass a single point per second

  
• What does the period of a wave refer to?

  The time taken for a whole wave to completely pass a single point
• What is a wavefront?

  The plane in which the wave travels

  
• What is the formula for wave velocity?

  $v =$$f\lambda$
• How is wave speed calculated?

  Wave speed (m/s) = frequency (Hz) × wavelength (m)

  
• What happens to velocity when frequency increases?

  Velocity increases
• What is the relationship between wavelength and velocity?

  As wavelength increases, velocity increases

  
• How is period related to frequency?

  Period is inversely proportional to frequency
• What happens to frequency when the period is smaller?

  Higher frequency
• What are the characteristics of transverse waves?

  • Light and electromagnetic waves
  • Seismic S waves
  • Water waves
  • Has peaks and troughs
  • Vibrations are at right angles to the direction of travel

  
• What are the characteristics of longitudinal waves?

  • Sound waves
  • Seismic P waves
  • Has compressions and rarefactions
  • Vibrations are in the same direction as the direction of travel

  
• How can you measure the velocity of sound in air using an echo?

  Make a noise at ~50m from a solid wall and record the time for the echo
• How can you measure the velocity of sound using two microphones?

  Record the time difference between sound passing from one to the other
• How can you measure the velocity of ripples on water surface?

  Use a stroboscope with the same frequency as the water waves
• What is the method to measure wave speed using a pencil on paper?

  Move a pencil along the paper at the same speed as a wavefront and measure the time taken
• What happens to waves when they pass from one medium to another?

  They are refracted

  
• What occurs when waves pass into a more optically dense medium?

  The wave bends towards the normal

  
• What happens to the speed of a wave when it enters a denser medium?

  The speed decreases
• How does wavelength change when a wave enters a denser medium?

  The wavelength decreases

  
• How is energy related to frequency in a wave?

  Energy is directly linked to frequency
• What is the angle of incidence in relation to reflection?

  The angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection
• What happens to light when it reflects off a flat surface?

  It reflects off the surface
• How does the smoothness of a surface affect reflection?

  Smoother surfaces produce stronger reflected waves
• What happens to light on rough surfaces?

  It scatters in all directions
• What is transmission in wave physics?

  Waves pass through a transparent material

  
• How does transparency affect light transmission?


  The more transparent a material, the more light passes through
• What occurs during absorption of light?

  If the frequency matches the energy levels of electrons, light is absorbed
• What happens to absorbed light energy?

  It is reemitted over time as heat
• Why does a material appear green?

  Only green light has been reflected, and other frequencies have been absorbed
• How do different substances interact with waves based on wavelength?

  They may absorb, transmit, refract, or reflect waves depending on their wavelength

  
• What does the outer ear do?

  It collects sound and channels it down the ear canal
• What happens to sound waves as they travel down the ear canal?

  They remain pressure air waves
• What is the function of the eardrum?

  It vibrates as incoming pressure waves reach it
• How does the eardrum vibrate in relation to sound waves?

  It vibrates at the same frequency as the sound wave
• What happens to the small bones connected to the eardrum?

  They vibrate at the same frequency as the sound wave
• How are vibrations transmitted from the bones to the inner ear?

  Vibrations are transmitted to the fluid in the cochlea