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Waves

AQA AS-level PhysicsTopic 5 of 1424 lessons

Revision notes for Waves in AQA Physics (7407). Every lesson in BrainCake comes with R.E.C.I.P.E. recall steps, a quick check and spaced reviews.

  1. Type of WavesWaves transfer energy without transferring matter.
  2. Transverse WavesWave Motion is the propagation of disturbances, produced on one part of a medium by the vibration of its particles, to all its other parts.
  3. Longitudinal WavesLongitudinal Waves are waves for which the direction of the vibration is parallel to the direction wave travel.
  4. PolarisationTransverse waves can be plane-polarised.
  5. Measuring WavesDisplacement The distance and direction from the equilibrium position.
  6. Wave SpeedEach wave crest travels a distance equal to one wavelength in the time period T = 1/f. using speed = distance &div time: speed of wave = distance…
  7. PhaseThe phase of an oscillating particle is the fraction of a cycle a particle has completed since the start of the cycle and is measured in radians.
  8. Phase DifferenceThe phase of an oscillating particle is the fraction of a cycle a particle has completed since the start of the cycle and is measured in radians.
  9. Ripple TankA ripple tank is a shallow transparent tray of water used to study wave properties.
  10. ReflectionStraight waves at an angle reflect at the same angle. angle i = angle r Where i is the angle of incidence and r is the angle of reflection.
  11. RefractionRefraction occurs when waves pass across a boundary.
  12. DiffractionWaves spread out after passing through a gap or round an obstacle.
  13. Principle of SuperpositionThe principle of superposition states that when two waves meet the total displacement at a point is equal to the vector sum of the individual…
  14. Stationary Waves on a RopeProgressive waves transfer energy from one place to another.
  15. Water Waves in a Ripple TankA vibrating dipper causes disturbances on the surface of water in a tank and sends out a series of water waves.
  16. InterferenceInterference is the name given to the cancellation and reinforcement that occurs when two waves meet and superpose on each other.
  17. Using MicrowavesMicrowaves can be used to demonstrate the wave properties reflection, refraction, diffraction, interference and polarisation.
  18. Formation of Stationary WavesWhen two progressive waves pass through each other in opposite directions they superpose forming a stationary wave.
  19. Explanation of Stationary WavesStationary waves vibrate freely and do not transfer energy to their surroundings.
  20. Example of Stationary WavesSound in a Pipe: Sound resonates at certain frequencies in an air filled tube or pipe.
  21. Stationary Waves on a StringWhen a string that is fixed at both ends freely vibrates stationary waves are produced.
  22. PitchThe pitch of a note corresponds to its frequency.
  23. OscilloscopeAn oscilloscope is a glass tube with an electron gun at one end and a fluorescent screen at the other.
  24. Measuring the Speed of UltrasoundTo measure the speed of ultrasound, the time base is used to trigger an ultrasonic transmitter.

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