IGCSEScienceCambridge (CIE)Co-ordinated Sciences (Double Award)PhysicsFlashcards3. WavesGeneral Properties of Waves

General Properties of Waves (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences (Double Award): Physics): Flashcards

Exam code: 0654 & 0973

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  • Define amplitude.

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

  • Define wavelength.

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

  • Define frequency.

    Frequency is the number of waves passing a point in a second.

  • Define wave speed.

    Wave speed is the distance travelled by a wave each second.

  • What is a wavefront?

    A wavefront is a way of picturing waves from above, where each wavefront represents a single wave.

  • What is a ripple tank used for?

    A ripple tank is used to demonstrate the wave motion of water waves.

  • What is the symbol used for amplitude?

    The symbol used for amplitude is A.

  • What are the units of amplitude?

    The units of amplitude are metres (m).

  • Draw and label amplitude and wavelength on a diagram of a transverse wave.

    Amplitude and wavelength drawn on a diagram of a transverse wave look like this:

    An oscillating waveform with peaks and troughs has a horizontal axis through the middle. Amplitude is labelled from the horizontal axis to a peak. Wavelength is labelled from one peak to the next.

  • True or False?

    Waves transfer matter from one place to another.

    False.

    Waves transfer energy without transferring matter. Objects floating on water bob up and down as waves pass, but do not change position.

  • How is the motion of a wave described?

    Waves are described as oscillations or vibrations about a fixed point.

  • What are the units of wave speed?

    The units of wave speed are metres per second (m/s).

  • What is the symbol for wave speed?

    The symbol for wave speed is v.

  • True or False?

    The symbol for frequency is \lambda.

    False.

    The symbol for frequency is f.

  • True or False?

    The units of frequency are hertz (Hz).

    True.

    The units of frequency are hertz (Hz).

  • What are the units for wavelength?

    The units for wavelength are metres (m).

  • What is the symbol for wavelength?

    The symbol for wavelength is \lambda.

  • State the wave equation in terms of wave speed.

    The wave equation in terms of wave speed is:

    v = f \lambda

    Where:

    • v = wave speed, measured in metres per second (m/s)

    • f = frequency, measured in hertz (Hz)

    • \lambda = wavelength, measured in metres (m)

  • True or False?

    The wave speed equation in terms of wavelength is \lambda = \frac{f}{v}.

    False.

    The wave speed equation in terms of wavelength is:

    \lambda = \frac{v}{f}

    Where:

    • \lambda = wavelength, measured in metres (m)

    • v = wave speed, measured in metres per second (m/s)

    • f = frequency, measured in hertz (Hz)

  • True or False?

    The wave speed equation in terms of frequency is f = \frac{v}{\lambda}.

    True.

    The wave speed equation in terms of frequency is:

    f = \frac{v}{\lambda}

    Where:

    • f = frequency, measured in hertz (Hz)

    • v = wave speed, measured in metres per second (m/s)

    • \lambda = wavelength, measured in metres (m)

  • What is the equation linking time period, T, and frequency, f?

    The equation linking time period and frequency is:

    T = \frac{1}{f}

    Where:

    • T = time period, measured in seconds (s)

    • f = frequency, measured in hertz (Hz)

  • Define transverse wave. (Extended Tier Only)

    A transverse wave is a wave where the direction of vibration is at right angles (perpendicular) to the direction of propagation.

  • What are three examples of transverse waves? (Extended Tier Only)

    Examples of transverse waves include:

    • electromagnetic waves (such as radio waves, visible light and X-rays)

    • ripples on the surface of water

    • S-waves (secondary earthquake waves)

  • Define longitudinal wave. (Extended Tier Only)

    A longitudinal wave is a wave where the direction of vibration is parallel to the direction of propagation.

  • What are two examples of longitudinal waves? (Extended Tier Only)

    Examples of longitudinal waves are:

    • sound waves

    • P-waves (primary earthquake waves)

  • True or False?

    Longitudinal waves can travel in a vacuum. (Extended Tier Only)

    False.

    Longitudinal waves cannot travel in a vacuum because there are no particles to vibrate.

  • What is the name for the part of a longitudinal wave where the particles are close together? (Extended Tier Only)

    In a longitudinal wave, the area where the particles are close together is called a compression.

  • What is the name for the part of a longitudinal wave where the particles are spaced far apart? (Extended Tier Only)

    In a longitudinal wave, the area where the particles are spaced far apart is called a rarefaction.

  • True or False?

    Visible light is an example of a transverse wave. (Extended Tier Only)

    True.

    Visible light is part of the electromagnetic spectrum. All electromagnetic waves are transverse waves.

  • True or False?

    Transverse waves can travel through a vacuum. (Extended Tier Only)

    True.

    Electromagnetic waves are transverse waves that can travel through a vacuum. However, other transverse waves, such as water waves and S-waves, require a medium.

  • True or False?

    The highest point above the rest position of a transverse wave is called the peak of the wave. (Extended Tier Only)

    True.

    The highest point above the rest position of a transverse wave is called the peak or the crest of the wave.

  • What is the name of the lowest point below the rest position of a transverse wave? (Extended Tier Only)

    The name of the lowest point below the rest position of a transverse wave is the trough.

  • What type of wave is shown in the diagram? (Extended Tier Only)

    A green waveform moves up and down with peaks and troughs at 90 degrees to the wave's motion and energy transfer.

    The wave shown is a transverse wave because it oscillates at right angles to the direction of wave motion.

  • Sketch a longitudinal wave. (Extended Tier Only)

    Include the following labels:

    • direction of vibration

    • direction of energy transfer

    • compression

    • rarefaction

    A correctly labelled longitudinal wave is as follows:

    Vertical parallel lines are drawn across the page; some are further apart and labelled rarefaction, others are closer together and labelled compression. A double-headed arrow is labelled the direction of vibration and a single arrow through the centre of all the lines is labelled the direction of energy transfer.

  • Define reflection.

    Reflection occurs when a wave hits a boundary between two media at a plane surface and does not pass through, but instead stays in the original medium.

  • Define refraction.

    Refraction occurs when a wave passes a boundary between two different transparent media and undergoes a change in speed, causing a change in direction.

  • Define diffraction. (Extended Tier Only)

    Diffraction is when waves pass through a narrow gap and spread out.

  • True or False?

    Diffraction only happens when the gap the wave is passing through is smaller than the wavelength of the wave. (Extended Tier Only)

    False.

    Diffraction is most prominent when the width of the gap is approximately equal to the wavelength of the wave. As the gap gets much bigger than the wavelength, the waves no longer spread out.

  • True or False?

    The angle of incidence is measured between the incident ray and the boundary surface.

    False.

    The angle of incidence is measured between the incident ray and the normal.

  • True or False?

    The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of refraction.

    False.

    When a wave refracts, it changes direction. If the wave slows down, it turns towards the normal; if it speeds up, it turns away from the normal. The angle of refraction is therefore not equal to the angle of incidence.

  • Between which two lines is the angle of refraction measured?

    The angle of refraction is measured between the refracted ray and the normal.

  • Define the normal.

    The normal is an imaginary line drawn perpendicular to the boundary between two media, from which angles are measured.

  • True or False?

    When a wave refracts, its frequency changes.

    False.

    When a wave refracts, its speed and wavelength change, but its frequency stays the same.

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