Define progressive wave .

A progressive wave is a wave that transfers energy from one point to another without transferring the medium itself.

Amplitude is the maximum displacement of a particle in a wave from its equilibrium position.

Wavelength is the distance between points on successive oscillations of a wave that are in phase, measured in metres .

The .......... of a wave is the time taken for one complete oscillation, measured in seconds.

The period of a wave is the time taken for one complete oscillation, measured in seconds.

True or False? Displacement can only be a positive value.

False. Displacement is a vector quantity, so it can be either positive or negative.

Define phase difference .

Phase difference is a measure of how much a point or a wave is in front of or behind another, measured in fractions of a wavelength, degrees or radians.

What is the phase difference between two waves that are in antiphase ?

180 degrees or pi radians — the crest of one wave aligns with the trough of the other.

Define transverse wave .

A transverse wave is a wave in which the particles oscillate perpendicular to the direction of the wave travel (and energy transfer).

Define longitudinal wave .

A longitudinal wave is a wave in which the particles oscillate parallel to the direction of the wave travel (and energy transfer).

What are the regions of increased and decreased pressure in a longitudinal wave called?

Compressions are regions of increased pressure Rarefactions are regions of decreased pressure

Transverse waves show areas of crests (peaks) and .......... .

Transverse waves show areas of crests (peaks) and troughs .

True or False? Longitudinal waves can be polarised.

False. Only transverse waves can be polarised, as they oscillate perpendicular to the direction of travel. Longitudinal waves oscillate parallel to the direction of travel, so cannot be polarised.

Which piece of apparatus is used to demonstrate a longitudinal wave, and which for a transverse wave?

A slinky spring is used to demonstrate a longitudinal wave A rope is used to demonstrate a transverse wave

Give three examples of transverse waves.

Electromagnetic waves (e.g. radio, visible light, UV) Vibrations on a guitar string Waves on a string Seismic S waves

Give three examples of longitudinal waves.

Sound waves Ultrasound waves Waves through a slinky coil Seismic P waves

Define polarisation .

Polarisation occurs when particle oscillations are restricted to a single plane perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation.

Why can only transverse waves be polarised?

Transverse waves oscillate in any plane perpendicular to the direction of propagation, so their oscillations can be restricted to one direction. Longitudinal waves oscillate parallel to the direction of travel, so cannot be polarised.

Name three ways, other than passing through a polarising filter, that light can become polarised.

Reflection Refraction Scattering

When two polarising filters have their transmission axes .......... , the intensity of transmitted light is at its maximum.

When two polarising filters have their transmission axes parallel , the intensity of transmitted light is at its maximum.

True or False? When two polarising filters have perpendicular transmission axes, the maximum intensity of light is transmitted.

False. When the transmission axes are perpendicular , the minimum (zero) intensity of light is transmitted.

Why are polaroid sunglasses useful for viewing objects under the surface of water?

Light reflected off a horizontal surface, such as water, is partially plane-polarised in the horizontal plane. Polaroid sunglasses have vertically oriented filters, which block this horizontally polarised glare, allowing objects under the water to be seen more clearly.

In polaroid photography of an underwater object, why does the object appear brighter than the reflected glare once the polarising filter is applied?

The glare is partially polarised (from reflection) and is eliminated by the polarising filter, but light from the underwater object is refracted , not reflected, so it is not plane-polarised and passes through the filter. This makes the underwater object appear relatively more intense than the glare.

Why must a radio or television reception aerial be aligned to match the polarisation of the transmitted signal?

Radio and television signals are broadcast as either horizontally or vertically polarised. The aerial must be mounted to match this orientation (flat or on its side) in order to receive the signal correctly.

A LevelPhysicsAQAFlashcardsWavesLongitudinal & Transverse Waves

Longitudinal & Transverse Waves (AQA A Level Physics): Flashcards

Exam code: 7408

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Define progressive wave.

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Cards in this collection (24)

Define progressive wave.
A progressive wave is a wave that transfers energy from one point to another without transferring the medium itself.
Define amplitude.
Amplitude is the maximum displacement of a particle in a wave from its equilibrium position.
Define wavelength.
Wavelength is the distance between points on successive oscillations of a wave that are in phase, measured in metres.
The .......... of a wave is the time taken for one complete oscillation, measured in seconds.
The period of a wave is the time taken for one complete oscillation, measured in seconds.
State the wave equation linking speed, frequency and wavelength.
$v = f λ$
True or False?
Displacement can only be a positive value.
False.
Displacement is a vector quantity, so it can be either positive or negative.
Define phase difference.
Phase difference is a measure of how much a point or a wave is in front of or behind another, measured in fractions of a wavelength, degrees or radians.
What is the phase difference between two waves that are in antiphase?
180 degrees or pi radians — the crest of one wave aligns with the trough of the other.
Define transverse wave.
A transverse wave is a wave in which the particles oscillate perpendicular to the direction of the wave travel (and energy transfer).
Define longitudinal wave.
A longitudinal wave is a wave in which the particles oscillate parallel to the direction of the wave travel (and energy transfer).
What are the regions of increased and decreased pressure in a longitudinal wave called?
- Compressions are regions of increased pressure
- Rarefactions are regions of decreased pressure
Transverse waves show areas of crests (peaks) and ...........
Transverse waves show areas of crests (peaks) and troughs.
True or False?
Longitudinal waves can be polarised.
False.
Only transverse waves can be polarised, as they oscillate perpendicular to the direction of travel. Longitudinal waves oscillate parallel to the direction of travel, so cannot be polarised.
Which piece of apparatus is used to demonstrate a longitudinal wave, and which for a transverse wave?
- A slinky spring is used to demonstrate a longitudinal wave
- A rope is used to demonstrate a transverse wave
Give three examples of transverse waves.
- Electromagnetic waves (e.g. radio, visible light, UV)
- Vibrations on a guitar string
- Waves on a string
- Seismic S waves
Give three examples of longitudinal waves.
- Sound waves
- Ultrasound waves
- Waves through a slinky coil
- Seismic P waves
Define polarisation.
Polarisation occurs when particle oscillations are restricted to a single plane perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation.
Why can only transverse waves be polarised?
Transverse waves oscillate in any plane perpendicular to the direction of propagation, so their oscillations can be restricted to one direction. Longitudinal waves oscillate parallel to the direction of travel, so cannot be polarised.
Name three ways, other than passing through a polarising filter, that light can become polarised.
- Reflection
- Refraction
- Scattering
When two polarising filters have their transmission axes .........., the intensity of transmitted light is at its maximum.
When two polarising filters have their transmission axes parallel, the intensity of transmitted light is at its maximum.
True or False?
When two polarising filters have perpendicular transmission axes, the maximum intensity of light is transmitted.
False.
When the transmission axes are perpendicular, the minimum (zero) intensity of light is transmitted.
Why are polaroid sunglasses useful for viewing objects under the surface of water?
Light reflected off a horizontal surface, such as water, is partially plane-polarised in the horizontal plane. Polaroid sunglasses have vertically oriented filters, which block this horizontally polarised glare, allowing objects under the water to be seen more clearly.
In polaroid photography of an underwater object, why does the object appear brighter than the reflected glare once the polarising filter is applied?
The glare is partially polarised (from reflection) and is eliminated by the polarising filter, but light from the underwater object is refracted, not reflected, so it is not plane-polarised and passes through the filter. This makes the underwater object appear relatively more intense than the glare.
Why must a radio or television reception aerial be aligned to match the polarisation of the transmitted signal?
Radio and television signals are broadcast as either horizontally or vertically polarised. The aerial must be mounted to match this orientation (flat or on its side) in order to receive the signal correctly.

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