Properties of Waves 4.1

Practice flashcards based on the properties of waves, defined terms, and crucial concepts in GCSE Physics.

What is the definition of a wave?

A wave is described as oscillations or vibrations about a fixed point that transfer energy and information.

What are the two types of waves?

Transverse waves and longitudinal waves.

How is amplitude defined?

Amplitude is the distance from the undisturbed position to the peak or trough of a wave.

What does wavelength measure in a wave?

Wavelength measures the distance from one point on the wave to the same point on the next wave.

What is the formula for wave speed?

Wave speed (v) is calculated using the equation v = f × λ, where f is frequency and λ is wavelength.

What is the time period of a wave?

The time period is the time taken for a single wave to pass a point.

Describe a transverse wave in terms of particle motion.

In a transverse wave, the particles of the medium vibrate at 90 degrees to the direction of energy transfer.

Give an example of a transverse wave.

Examples include ripples on water, vibrations in a guitar string, and electromagnetic waves.

What is a longitudinal wave?

A longitudinal wave is where the points along its length vibrate parallel to the direction of energy transfer.

What is wave reflection?

Reflection occurs when a wave hits a boundary and does not pass through, instead bouncing back into the original medium.

Define refraction in the context of waves.

Refraction occurs when a wave changes speed at the boundary between two materials of different densities.

What happens to light waves when they pass from air into glass?

The light waves slow down and bend towards the normal when entering glass from air.

How do sound waves react when they pass through different materials?

Sound waves are partially absorbed, reflected, or transmitted depending on the material's properties.

What is the formula used to calculate distance when speed and time are known?

Distance x = v × t, where v is speed and t is time.

What does echo sounding measure?

Echo sounding uses sound waves to detect the depth of water by measuring the time taken for the sound to return after reflecting off the ocean floor.

How is depth calculated using sound waves?

Depth is calculated as half the total distance traveled by the sound wave.

What effect does a smoother surface have on wave reflection?

A smoother surface results in a stronger reflected wave compared to a rough surface, which scatters the wave.