SVHS Physical Science B CA 4 Waves and Electromagnetic Radiation Flashcards

Flashcards covering key concepts from the quiz, including wave types, properties, electromagnetic spectrum, and light behavior.

Mechanical Wave

A disturbance in matter that carries energy from one place to another.

Medium

The material through which a wave travels.

Transverse Wave

Wave in which particles of the medium move in a direction perpendicular to the direction that the wave moves

Longitudinal Wave

Mechanical wave in which the particles move parallel to the direction of the energy transport

Surface Wave

A wave that travels along a surface separating two media

Crest

The high point on a transverse wave

Trough

The lowest point on a transverse wave

Amplitude

The maximum displacement of a wave from its resting position

Period

The length of time it takes for one complete wavelength to pass a fixed point.

Wavelength

The distance between successive crests of a wave

Reflection

A wave changing direction by bouncing off a surface.

Refraction

A wave changing direction as it passes from one medium to another

Diffraction

The bending of a wave as it moves around an obstacle or passes through a narrow opening

Constructive Interference

The interference that occurs when individual effects of two or more waves add up to produce a wave of increased amplitude

Destructive Interference

The interference that occurs when individual effects of two or more waves combine to produce a wave of decreased amplitude.

Standing Wave

A wave that appears to stay in one place; does not seem to move through the medium

Electromagnetic Waves

Waves that consist of oscillating electric and magnetic fields, radiating outward at the speed of light.

Electromagnetic Spectrum

the full range of frequencies of electromagnetic radiation

Compression

A region in a longitudinal wave where the particles are closest together.

Rarefaction

A region in a longitudinal wave where the particles are furthest apart

Frequency

The number of waves that pass a fixed point in one second.

States of Matter a medium can take

Solid, Liquid, or Gas

Types of mechanical waves

Waves that require a medium to propagate, including longitudinal and transverse waves, and surface waves.

The reason transverse and longitudinal waves are mechanical waves.

They require a medium for propagation.

Examples of surface waves.

Water waves and seismic waves.

description of P waves in earthquakes

A type of seismic wave that is a longitudinal wave, travels faster than S waves, and can move through solid and liquid materials.

What is the wave equation?

The wave equation is a mathematical description that relates the displacement of a wave to its speed, frequency, and wavelength, typically expressed as v = fλ, where v is wave speed, f is frequency, and λ is wavelength.

What does the amplitude of a wave describe, and what is happening when amplitude changes?

Amplitude of a wave describes the maximum displacement of a wave from its rest position, indicating the wave's energy. When amplitude changes, it affects the wave's intensity; an increase in amplitude results in a more energetic wave, while a decrease leads to lower energy.

What must be true for refraction of a wave to occur?

Refraction of a wave occurs when it passes into a different medium at an angle other than 90 degrees, causing a change in its speed and direction. The difference in wave speed between the two media must be significant for noticeable bending to occur.

All electromagnetic waves travel at the speed of light. How do different types of electromagnetic waves differ?

Different types of electromagnetic waves differ in their frequency and wavelength, which determine their energy and various applications, such as radio waves for communication, microwaves for cooking, visible light for sight, and X-rays for medical imaging.

This type of wave acts as both a particle and a wave.

Photons in electromagnetic radiation - light - exhibits properties of both particles and waves, known as wave-particle duality,

Compare infrared rays and radio waves

Infrared rays have shorter wavelengths and higher frequencies than radio waves, allowing them to carry more energy. Infrared rays are primarily used in thermal imaging and remote controls, while radio waves are used for communication signals.

List the order of electromagnetic radiation from least energetic to most.

The order of electromagnetic radiation from least energetic to most energetic is radio waves, microwaves, infrared rays, visible light, ultraviolet rays, X-rays, and gamma rays.

List modern technologies that use radiowaves.

Examples of modern technologies that use radio waves include AM and FM radio broadcasting, television transmission, cell phones, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth devices.

Describe the major discoveries of newton’s prism experiments.

Newton's prism experiments demonstrated that white light is composed of a spectrum of colors, which can be separated and recombined. He discovered that when white light passes through a prism, it bends and splits into all the colors of the visible spectrum ranging from red to violet.

How are frequency and wavelength of waves related?

Frequency and wavelength are inversely related; as the frequency of a wave increases, its wavelength decreases, and vice versa. This relationship is described by the equation: speed = frequency × wavelength.

What are the units for the frequency of a wave?

The units for frequency are hertz (Hz), which represents one cycle per second.

What symbol do we use to represent wavelength?

The symbol used to represent wavelength is the Greek letter lambda (λ).