Waves and EM Spectrum unit slides 2024-2025 (2)

What is a wave?

A wave is a vibration that transfers energy from one place to another.

What are the two main types of waves?

Mechanical waves and electromagnetic waves.

How do longitudinal waves oscillate?

Longitudinal waves vibrate parallel to the direction of wave travel.

How do transverse waves oscillate?

Transverse waves vibrate perpendicular to the direction of wave travel.

What is the difference between wavelength and frequency?

Wavelength is the distance between two successive peaks of a wave, while frequency is the number of waves that pass a point in a second.

What is wave speed?

Wave speed is the distance a wave travels per unit of time, calculated as wave speed = frequency x wavelength.

What happens during reflection of waves?

Reflection involves a change in direction of waves when they bounce off a barrier.

What does refraction of waves refer to?

Refraction is the change in direction of waves as they pass from one medium to another.

What is diffraction of waves?

Diffraction is the spreading of waves around obstacles or through openings.

What is the electromagnetic spectrum?

The electromagnetic spectrum is the range of all types of electromagnetic radiation, ordered by wavelength.

What is the primary property of electromagnetic waves?

Electromagnetic waves are transverse waves that do not require a medium and travel at the speed of light.

How does wavelength relate to frequency in the electromagnetic spectrum?

As wavelength decreases, frequency increases, keeping the speed of the wave constant.

What are two uses of microwaves?

Microwaves are used for satellite communication and in microwave ovens.

How does absorption occur with waves?

Absorption occurs when waves arrive at the boundary between two materials and their energy is absorbed.

What is the period of a wave?

The period of a wave is the time it takes for one complete cycle of the wave to occur.

What is a compression in a longitudinal wave?

A compression is a part of a longitudinal wave where the particles are close together.

What is rarefaction in a longitudinal wave?

Rarefaction is a part of a longitudinal wave where the particles are spread apart.

Explain the importance of polarization in electromagnetic waves.

Polarization affects how waves oscillate and can impact how they are transmitted or absorbed.

What is the formula for calculating wave speed?

Wave speed (v) is calculated as v = frequency (f) x wavelength (λ).

What type of waves are sound waves classified as?

Sound waves are classified as mechanical longitudinal waves.

What type of waves are light waves classified as?

Light waves are classified as electromagnetic transverse waves.

What does wave interference refer to?

Wave interference refers to the phenomenon when two waves meet while traveling along the same medium.