4.2 Measuring waves Flashcards Preview

A Level Physics (AQA) - Section 2 > 4.2 Measuring waves > Flashcards

Flashcards in 4.2 Measuring waves Deck (14)
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1
Q

What happens when we make a phone call

A

Sound waves are converted to electrical waves

2
Q

What happens in an intercontinental phone call

A

Sound waves are converted to electrical waves. These waves are carried by electromagnetic waves from ground transmitters to satellites n space and back to ground receivers, where they are converted back to electrical waves then back to sound waves.

3
Q

What is the displacement of a vibrating particle

A

Its distance and direction from its equilibrium position

4
Q

What is the amplitude of a wave

A

The maximum displacement of a vibrating particle.

For a transverse wave, this is the height of a wave crest or the depth of a wave trough from its equilibrium position

5
Q

What is the wavelength of a wave

A

The least distance between two adjacent vibrating particles with the same displacement and velocity at the same time

6
Q

What is one complete cycle of a wave

A

From maximum displacement to the next maximum displacement

7
Q

What is the period of a wave

A

The time for one complete wave to pass a fixed point

8
Q

What is the frequency of a wave

A

The number of cycles of vibration of a particle per second. The unit of frequency is the hertz (Hz)

9
Q

The higher the frequency of a wave, the shorter its…

A

…wavelength

10
Q

For waves of frequency f, the period of a wave =

A

T=1/F

11
Q

Wave speed c =

A

12
Q

What is the phase of a vibrating particle at a certain time

A

The fraction of a cycle it has completed since the start of the cycle

13
Q

What is the phase difference between two particles vibrating at the same frequency

A

The fraction of a cycle between the vibrations of the two particles, measured either in degrees or radians where 1 cycle = 360°=2π radians

14
Q

For two points at distance d apart along a wave of wavelength λ

A

The phase difference in radians = 2πd/λ