IGCSEPhysicsCambridge (CIE)Flashcards3. WavesGeneral Properties of Waves

General Properties of Waves (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Physics)

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  • Define the term amplitude.

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

  • What is wavelength?

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

  • Define the term frequency.

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

  • Define the term wave speed.

    Wave speed is the speed at which a wave travels.

  • What is a wavefront?

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

  • What is a ripple tank used for?

    A ripple tank is used to demonstrate wave motion.

  • 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.

  • Identify the wave property indicated by the arrow on the diagram.

    An oscillating wave with peaks and troughs is labelled with a double-headed arrow from the equilibrium point between a peak and a trough to the corresponding equilibrium point between a peak and a trough.

    The wave property indicated by the arrow on the diagram is time period.

  • 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 space equals space 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 space equals fraction numerator space f over denominator v end fraction.

    False.

    The wave speed equation in terms of wavelength is lambda space equals fraction numerator space v over denominator f end fraction

    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 space equals fraction numerator space v over denominator lambda end fraction.

    True.

    The wave speed equation in terms of frequency is f space equals fraction numerator space v over denominator lambda end fraction

    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, T and frequency, f is:

    T space equals space 1 over f

    Where:

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

    • f = frequency, measured in hertz (Hz)

  • Define the term transverse wave.

    A transverse wave is a wave where the oscillations are at right angles (perpendicular) to the direction of energy transfer.

  • What are three examples of transverse waves?

    Examples of transverse waves include:

    • ripples on the surface of water

    • vibrations on a guitar string

    • S-waves (secondary seismic waves)

    • electromagnetic waves

  • Define the term longitudinal wave.

    A longitudinal wave is a wave where the oscillations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer.

  • What are three examples of longitudinal waves?

    Examples of longitudinal waves are:

    • sound waves

    • P-waves (primary seismic waves)

    • pressure waves in liquids or gases

  • True or False?

    Longitudinal waves can travel in a vacuum.

    False.

    Longitudinal waves require a medium to travel through, so they cannot travel in a vacuum since there are no particles in a vacuum.

  • What is the name for the part of a longitudinal wave where the particles are close together?

    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?

    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.

    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.

    True.

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

  • What is the key difference between transverse and longitudinal waves?

    The key difference between transverse and longitudinal waves is the direction of the vibrations with respect to the direction of the energy transfer. For transverse waves, the vibrations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer, while for longitudinal waves, the vibrations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer.

  • True or False?

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

    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?

    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?

    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 of the direction of wave motion.

  • Sketch a longitudinal wave.

    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 the term reflection.

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

  • State the law of reflection.

    The law of reflection states that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.

  • Define the term refraction.

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

  • Define the term diffraction.

    Diffraction is when waves pass around an obstacle or through a narrow gap, and the waves 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 greatest when the gap the wave is passing through is of a similar size to the wavelength of the wave. If the wavelength is much greater than, or much smaller than the gap then no diffraction will occur.

  • 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 reflection is measured between the incident ray and the normal.

    False.

    The angle of reflection is measured between the reflected ray and the normal.

  • What is the key difference between reflection and refraction?

    Reflection is when a wave stays in the same medium, while refraction is when a wave passes into a different medium and changes speed.

  • True or False?

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

    False.

    The law of reflection states that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection. In refraction, the angle of refraction is dependent upon the angle of incidence and the media through which the wave travels.

  • How do you measure the angle of refraction?

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

  • What types of wave behaviour can a ripple tank be used to demonstrate?

    A ripple tank can be used to demonstrate the following types of wave behaviour:

    • reflection

    • refraction

    • diffraction

  • True or False?

    The amount of diffraction depends on the size of the gap compared to the wavelength. (Extended Tier Only)

    True.

    The amount of diffraction depends on the size of the gap compared to the wavelength of the wave.

  • What happens to the wavelength of water waves in a ripple tank when the frequency is reduced?

    When the frequency of water waves in a ripple tank is reduced, the wavelength increases.

  • How do you decrease the wavelength of water waves in a ripple tank?

    You decrease the wavelength of the waves in a ripple tank by increasing the frequency of the waves.

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5. Nuclear Physics
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