General Properties of WavesOxford AQA IGCSE Physics: Flashcards
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Question
Define a wave.
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- Define a wave.
- A disturbance caused by an oscillating source that transfers energy and information without transferring matter.
- What is a transverse wave?
- A wave where the oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer.
- What is a longitudinal wave?
- A wave where the oscillations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer, forming compressions and rarefactions.
- Give two examples of transverse waves.
- Electromagnetic waves and water waves.
- Give an example of a longitudinal wave.
- Sound waves.
- What three things can happen to a wave at a boundary between two materials?
- It can be reflected, transmitted, or absorbed.
- Define refraction.
- A change in velocity (and usually direction) of a wave when it crosses a boundary between two materials.
- Define diffraction.
- The spreading out of a wave when it passes through a narrow gap or travels past an edge.
- Define frequency.
- The number of complete waves passing a point per second, measured in hertz.
- Define wavelength.
- The distance from one point on a wave to the identical point on the next wave.
- Define amplitude.
- The maximum displacement of a point on a wave from its undisturbed position.
- State the wave speed equation.
- v = f × λ (wave speed = frequency × wavelength).
- What is a wavefront?
- A line or surface representing points on a wave that are in phase.