Wave Properties and Types
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Questions and Answers

What type of image is formed by a converging lens for long-sighted eyes?

An enlarged and upright image is formed.

List the seven colors of light as they appear in a prism in order of decreasing wavelength.

Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet.

What effect does wavelength have on the speed of light in glass?

Longer wavelengths travel slower in glass.

Describe the relationship between wavelength and frequency in electromagnetic waves.

<p>As wavelength decreases, frequency increases.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main use of microwaves in technology?

<p>Microwaves are used for satellite communication and in microwave ovens.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What potential hazard is associated with excessive exposure to ultraviolet light?

<p>Increased risk of skin cancer.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain how X-rays are used in the medical field.

<p>X-rays are used for medical imaging as they can easily penetrate materials.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of radiation is used in remote controllers?

<p>Infrared radiation is used in remote controllers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to waves when they encounter a narrow gap or an obstacle?

<p>Waves spread out more when they pass through a narrow gap or around an obstacle.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the wavelength of waves change when they move from deep to shallow water?

<p>The wavelength shortens as waves slow down when moving from deep to shallow water.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Can you explain the law of reflection using a ripple tank setup?

<p>When waves strike a barrier, the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection as the waves bounce off.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the gap size and the amount of diffraction experienced by waves?

<p>The amount of diffraction increases as the gap size decreases relative to the wavelength.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does a barrier affect the behavior of waves encountering its edge?

<p>Waves bend around the edge of a barrier, spreading into the region behind it, illustrating diffraction.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe how the speed of waves is affected by the water depth in a ripple tank.

<p>Waves slow down in shallower water, causing a decrease in their speed and wavelength.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why do longer wavelengths diffract more than shorter wavelengths when encountering obstacles?

<p>Longer wavelengths, being more comparable in size to obstacles, can bend around edges more effectively.</p> Signup and view all the answers

In a ripple tank, what role does the vibrating paddle play in wave generation?

<p>The vibrating paddle generates waves by creating disturbances in the water's surface.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What types of radiation can lead to mutations and possibly cancer?

<p>X-rays and gamma rays.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why are microwaves preferred for communication with satellites?

<p>They can penetrate the Earth's atmosphere effectively.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the speed of electromagnetic waves in a vacuum?

<p>$3.0 imes 10^8$ m/s.</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what way do digital signals differ from analogue signals?

<p>Digital signals consist of discrete binary values (0s and 1s), while analogue signals vary continuously.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary advantage of using digital signals in communication?

<p>Higher data transmission rates and accurate signal regeneration.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of optical fibres in communication systems?

<p>They use visible light or infrared to transmit data efficiently.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do microwaves and radio waves differ in their use for Bluetooth technology?

<p>Bluetooth uses low-energy radio waves or microwaves which can penetrate walls but weaken when passing through them.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of satellites are mainly used for direct broadcast satellite TV?

<p>Geostationary satellites.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of amplitude in wave motion?

<p>Amplitude is the distance from the equilibrium position to the maximum displacement of a wave.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain the relationship between speed, frequency, and wavelength in wave motion.

<p>The speed of a wave is related to its frequency and wavelength by the equation $v = f\lambda$, where $v$ is speed, $f$ is frequency, and $\lambda$ is wavelength.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the key differences between transverse and longitudinal waves?

<p>Transverse waves have vibrations at right angles to the direction of travel, whereas longitudinal waves have vibrations in the same direction as the travel.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does reflection of waves occur on smooth surfaces?

<p>Waves reflect off smooth surfaces at an angle equal to the angle of incidence, following the law of reflection.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to a wave's speed and direction when it enters a more optically dense medium?

<p>When a wave enters a more optically dense medium, its speed decreases and it bends towards the normal.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe the impact of rough surfaces on wave reflection.

<p>Rough surfaces scatter waves in all directions, making them appear matte and unreflective instead of reflecting them uniformly.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a wavefront and why is it significant in wave motion?

<p>A wavefront is a surface containing points affected in the same way by a wave, such as crests or troughs, and it represents the propagation of the wave.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the frequency of a wave change when it is refracted?

<p>The frequency of a wave remains unchanged during refraction while its speed and wavelength change.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of the refractive index n?

<p>The refractive index n is the ratio of the speed of light in a vacuum to the speed of light in the medium.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Snell's law relate the angles of incidence and refraction?

<p>Snell's law states that n = sin(i) / sin(r), where i is the angle of incidence and r is the angle of refraction.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What condition must be met for total internal reflection to occur?

<p>Total internal reflection occurs when light travels from a more optically dense medium to a less optically dense medium at an angle greater than the critical angle.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the critical angle represent in terms of refraction?

<p>The critical angle is the angle of incidence above which total internal reflection occurs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of optical fibers in communication?

<p>Optical fibers use total internal reflection to transfer information through light, even when bent.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a converging lens?

<p>A converging lens focuses light rays to a point known as the principal focus.</p> Signup and view all the answers

When is an image formed by a converging lens considered real?

<p>A real image is formed when the object is placed at a distance greater than the focal length from the lens.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates a virtual image from a real image in lens optics?

<p>A virtual image occurs when the object distance is less than the focal length, making it appear to converge but not actually do so.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the amplitude of a sound wave affect its loudness?

<p>A greater amplitude of a sound wave results in a louder sound.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the frequency of a sound wave and its pitch?

<p>Higher frequency sound waves produce a higher pitch.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What formula is used to calculate the speed of sound, and what factors must be considered?

<p>The speed of sound is calculated using the formula speed = distance/time, considering the round trip of the sound.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the speed of sound in air at room temperature?

<p>The speed of sound in air is 343 m/s.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Define ultrasound and provide an example of its application.

<p>Ultrasound is sound with a frequency greater than 20,000 Hz, commonly used in medical imaging.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are compressions and rarefactions in the context of sound waves?

<p>Compressions are areas of high pressure where particles are close together, while rarefactions are areas of low pressure with spaced-out particles.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why does sound travel faster in solids compared to gases?

<p>Sound travels faster in solids due to strong intermolecular forces and closely packed particles, allowing efficient energy transfer.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does sonar use ultrasound to detect material flaws?

<p>Sonar emits ultrasound, which partially reflects at material boundaries to identify flaws without damaging them.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Diffraction

Waves spread out when passing around obstacles or through narrow gaps.

Diffraction: Gap & Wavelength

The narrower the gap or the greater the wavelength, the more the wave spreads out.

Reflection

Waves bounce off a surface, changing direction but maintaining the same angle of approach and departure.

Refraction

Waves change direction when moving from one medium to another, bending towards the normal in a denser medium.

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Refraction in Water

Waves slow down and have shorter wavelengths in shallower water.

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Diffraction through a Gap

Waves passing through a gap spread out in semi-circles.

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Diffraction around an Edge

Waves bend around the edge of an obstacle, spreading into the region behind it.

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Diffraction & Wavelength

Longer wavelengths diffract more significantly around edges because they are more comparable in size to the edge.

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Amplitude

The distance from the equilibrium position to the maximum displacement of a wave.

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Wavelength

The distance between a point on one wave and the same point on the next wave.

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Frequency

The number of waves that pass a single point per second.

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Speed

The distance travelled by a wave each second.

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Transverse waves

Waves where the vibrations are perpendicular to the direction of travel.

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Longitudinal waves

Waves where the vibrations are in the same direction as the direction of travel.

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Refractive Index (n)

The ratio between the speed of light in a vacuum and the speed of light in a medium.

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Snell's Law

A law relating the angles of incidence and refraction to the refractive index.

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Critical Angle

The angle of incidence at which light refracts along the boundary between two mediums.

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Total Internal Reflection

The phenomenon occurring when the angle of incidence exceeds the critical angle and light reflects back into the original medium.

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Converging Lens

A transparent block that converges light rays to a point called the principal focus.

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Focal Length

The distance between the center of the lens and the principal focus.

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Real Image

An image formed when light rays actually converge at a point and can be projected on a screen.

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Virtual Image

An image formed where light rays only appear to have converged and cannot be projected onto a screen.

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Diverging lens

A diverging lens spreads out light rays, preventing them from converging. This helps to correct short-sightedness (myopia).

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Dispersion of light

When white light passes through a prism, it separates into its constituent colors (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet). This happens because different colors travel at different speeds in the glass and refract at different angles.

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Electromagnetic waves

Electromagnetic waves are transverse waves that do not require a medium to travel. They travel at the speed of light in a vacuum (3.0 x 10^8 m/s) and approximately the same speed in air.

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Electromagnetic spectrum

The electromagnetic spectrum is a range of all types of electromagnetic radiation arranged by their wavelengths and frequencies. As wavelength decreases, frequency increases. Higher frequency EM waves have greater energy.

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Radio waves

Radio waves are used for communication, television, and radio. They have long wavelengths and are reflected by the ionosphere.

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Microwaves

Microwaves are used for satellite communication and in microwave ovens. They pass through the ionosphere and can penetrate food.

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Infrared radiation

Infrared radiation is used in remote controls and infrared cameras. It is invisible to the human eye but can be detected as heat.

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Satellite Communication

Microwaves are used for communication with satellites because they can penetrate the Earth's atmosphere.

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Low Orbit Satellites

Low orbit satellites are used in some satellite phones and require multiple satellites for coverage.

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Geostationary Satellites

Geostationary satellites are used for direct broadcast satellite TV and some phones, they remain fixed relative to a point on Earth.

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Speed of Electromagnetic Waves

Electromagnetic waves travel at a speed of 3.0 x 10^8 m/s in a vacuum and approximately the same in air.

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Mobile Phone and Wireless Internet Communication

Mobile phones and wireless internet use microwaves because they can penetrate walls and require only short aerials for transmission and reception.

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Bluetooth Communication

Bluetooth uses low-energy radio waves or microwaves, which can pass through walls but weaken when doing so.

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Optical Fiber Communication

Optical fibers use visible light or infrared for cable TV and high-speed broadband, glass is transparent to these wavelengths, which can carry high data rates efficiently.

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Digital vs. Analogue Signals

Digital signals consist of discrete binary values (0s and 1s) for transmitting data. Analogue signals continuously vary to represent data like sound waves.

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What are sound waves?

Sound waves are created by vibrating sources and travel as longitudinal waves. They require a medium like air or water to propagate.

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How does the speed of sound change in different media?

The speed of sound varies depending on the medium. It travels fastest in solids, then liquids, and slowest in gases.

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What determines the loudness of a sound wave?

The amplitude of a sound wave determines its loudness. Larger amplitude means louder sound.

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What determines the pitch of a sound wave?

The frequency of a sound wave determines its pitch. Higher frequency means higher pitch.

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What is ultrasound?

Ultrasound refers to sound waves with frequencies higher than 20,000 Hz, beyond the range of human hearing.

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How is ultrasound used?

Ultrasound waves are used in medical imaging and SONAR technology. They reflect at boundaries between different tissues or materials, providing information about internal structures.

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What are compressions and rarefactions in a sound wave?

Compression is a region of high pressure within a sound wave where particles are pushed closer together. Rarefaction is a region of low pressure where particles are spread further apart.

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What is SONAR?

SONAR (Sound Navigation and Ranging) is a technology that uses ultrasound waves to determine the distance, direction, and shape of objects underwater or in materials.

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Study Notes

Wave Properties

  • Waves transfer energy without matter transfer, particles oscillate about a point
  • Amplitude: Distance from equilibrium to maximum displacement
  • Wavelength: Distance between a point on one wave and same point on adjacent wave
  • Frequency: Number of waves passing a point per second
  • Speed: Distance a wave travels per second
  • Speed = frequency × wavelength (v = fλ)

Types of Waves

  • Transverse waves: vibrations at right angles to travel direction
    • Examples: light waves, ripples on water
  • Longitudinal waves: vibrations parallel to travel direction
    • Examples: sound waves

Reflection

  • Waves reflect off smooth surfaces; angle of incidence = angle of reflection
  • Rough surfaces scatter light, appearing matte

Refraction

  • Wave speed changes when entering new medium
  • More optically dense medium: speed decreases, bends towards the normal
  • Less optically dense medium: speed increases, bends away from the normal
  • Frequency unchanged, wavelength changes

Diffraction

  • Waves spread out when passing through gaps or around obstacles
  • Narrower gap or larger wavelength = more diffraction

Light Reflection

  • Light changes direction when reflected from a surface
  • Angle of incidence = angle of reflection
  • Normal: A line perpendicular to the reflecting surface at the point of incidence
  • Angle of incidence (i): Angle between the incident ray and the normal
  • Angle of reflection (r): Angle between the reflected ray and the normal

Plane Mirrors

  • Image characteristics: same size as object, same distance behind mirror as object is in front, virtual (not seen directly), laterally inverted
  • Law of reflection: i = r
  • Construction, measurements, and calculations: diagrams, protractor for measurements, and geometry for calculations to locate images

Refraction of Light

  • Light changes speed when passing through different mediums.
  • More optically dense medium -> light bends towards the normal
  • Less optically dense medium -> light bends away from the normal
  • Critical angle: specific angle where light travels along the boundary between mediums
  • Total internal reflection: light reflects back into the denser medium when angle of incidence > critical angle.

Optical Fibres

  • Transfer information as light travels through glass fibres
  • Utilized Total Internal Reflection

Thin Lenses

  • Converging lenses bring light rays together at a principal focus
  • Focal length: distance between center of lens and principal focus
  • Real image: formed when object is further from the lens than the focal length
    • Light actually converges to create the image
    • Can be shown on a screen
  • Virtual image: formed when object is closer to the lens than the focal length
    • Light appears to converge to create the image
    • Cannot be shown on a screen
  • Real images are inverted, virtual images are upright
  • Use in magnifying glasses, binoculars, and correcting vision problems (eyesight)

Dispersion of Light

  • White light separates into colours when passing through a prism due to different speeds of different colours in glass
    • Red has largest wavelength, Violet has smallest
  • Different colours refract by different amounts

Electromagnetic Spectrum

  • Waves that do not need a medium to travel in
  • All travel at the same speed in a vacuum.
  • Used for various communication methods
  • Their energy is related to their frequency

Sound Waves

  • Longitudinal waves caused by vibrations
  • Louder sound -> higher amplitude
  • Higher pitch sound -> higher frequency
  • Speed of sound in: solids > liquids > gases
  • Uses include sonar, medical imaging

Communication

  • Microwaves use for satellite communication
  • Mobile phones & wireless internet utilize microwaves to penetrate walls
  • Bluetooth, use radio waves or microwaves
  • Optical fibers transmit information using light
  • Digital signals provide higher data transmission rates & accurate data transmission over long distances when compared to analog methods.

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CAIE Physics IGCSE Topic 3: Waves Summary Notes PDF

Description

Explore the fundamental concepts of wave properties and types in this quiz. Understand how waves transfer energy, key characteristics like amplitude and wavelength, and the behavior of waves during reflection and refraction. Test your knowledge of transverse and longitudinal waves with examples and key definitions.

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