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IGCSE Physics Waves
IGCSE Physics Waves
35
Physics
10th Grade
04/20/2011

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Term
Longitudinal wave
Definition
Oscillation is parallel to direction energy travels
Term
Transverse wave
Definition
Oscillation is perpendicular to directionenergy travels
Term
Displacement
Definition
Distance of a particle in the wave from its rest position
Term
Amplitude
Definition
Maximum displacement of a particle
Term
Frequency
Definition
Number of oscillations in one second
Term
Time period
Definition
Time taken for one ocillation
Term
Frequency formula
Definition
f = 1/T
T = 1/f
Term
Wavelength
Definition
Distance along the wave to the next particle making the same oscillation
Term
Wavespeed
Definition
The speed with which the energy of the wave travels
Term
Wave formula
Definition
v = fλ
Term
Diffraction
Definition
Waves spread out after an object of opening with a size similar to the wavelength of the wave.
Term
Electromagnetic spectrum
Definition
Range of electromagnetic waves: radio, microwaves, infra-red, light, ultra-violet, X-ray, gamma
Term
Law of Reflection
Definition
Angle of incidence = Angle of reflection
Term
Refraction
Definition
Waves change direction when passing from one medium to another
Term
Refractive index
Definition
A constant which tells how much a medium refracts
Term
Refractive index formula
Definition
n = sin i/ sin r
Term
Total internal reflection
Definition
When light in a more dense medium reflects at the boundary
Term
Critical angle
Definition
The angle of incidence where the angle of refraction is 90°
Term
Critical angle formula
Definition
sinc = 1/n
Term
Digital signal
Definition
A signal which can be represented as a series of 1s and 0s. It can be perfectly copied.
Term
Analogue signal
Definition
A continuously varying signal. It degrades as it is copied.
Term
Oscilloscope
Definition
Apparatus which represents oscillations by a trace on a screen
Term
Pitch and loudness
Definition
Properties of a soundwave which are determined by frequency and amplitude
Term
Speed of light
Definition
All EM waves travel at 300 million m/s in a vacuum
Term
Uses of radio waves
Definition
Broadcasting and communication
Term
Uses of microwaves
Definition
Cooking and satellite transmissions
Term
Uses of infra-red
Definition
Heaters and night vision
Term
Uses of visible light
Definition
Optical fibres and photography
Term
Uses of X-rays
Definition
internal structure of objects and medical applications
Term
Uses of gamma rays
Definition
Sterilising food and medical equipment
Term
Effects of microwaves
Definition
internal heating of body tissue
Term
Effects of infra-red
Definition
skin burns
Term
Effects of infra-red
Definition
skin burns
Term
Effects of ultra-violet
Definition
sunburn and blindness
Term
Effects of gamma rays
Definition
cancer, mutation
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