Flashcards

IB Physics - Waves

Mintst English 30 cards

Cards in this deck (30)

1The spring equation/Hooke's lawF=-kx
ma=-kx
a=(-k/m)x
a∝ -x
2Simple harmonic motion (SHM)Repetitive movement back and forth through an equilibrium
3Characteristics of SHM- Acceleration is proportional to displacement a∝x
- Acceleration is in opposite direction to the displacement a∝-x
4OscillationsVibrations which repeat themselves (driven externally or internally)
5The equation for speed of a wavev=λ/T = 1/T*λ
v= speed (ms^-1)
T= Period (s)
λ= wavelenght (m)
6The wave equationv=fλ
v=speed (ms^-1)
f=frequency (Hz)
λ=wavelength (m)
7Characteristics of longitudinal waves- Direction of travel is parallel to direction of oscillation
- Need a medium in which to travel
8Characteristics of transverse waves- Direction of travel is perpendicular (90°) to oscillation
9The two main types of wavesLongitudinal and transverse
10What is a wave?A disturbance that travels through a medium from one location to another
11Features of waves- Oscillation
- Direction of travel (Energy transfer)
12Index of refractionn=c/v
n=index of refraction
v=velocity of light in the medium (ms^-1)
c=3*10^8 ms^-1 (The speed of light)
13Snell's law for refracted wavesv2/v1=sinθ2/sinθ1
14RefractionThe bending of a wave when it enters a medium where its speed is different $Refraction$
15Rays- Parallel to wave velocity
- Perpendicular to the wavefronts
16Wavefronts- Located at the crests of the waves
- Don't have to be straight
- Perpendicular to the wave velocity
- Can be bent by obstacles in the environment or by the properties of the medium
17Reflections
18The electromagnetic spectrum- In free space (vacuum), all electromagnetic waves travel with the same speed v=3.00*10^8ms^1
19Amplitude, period and wavelength
20Potential and kinetic energy of a spring
21Brewster's lawIf θrefl + θrefr = 90° then the reflected ray will be completerly plane-polarized
22Optically active substancesThe plane of polarized lgiht rotates as it passes through the substance
E.g. sugar solution, quartz
23Huygens principleEvery point on a wavefront emits a spherical wavelet of the same velocity and wavelenght as the original wave
24Diffraction $Diffraction$
25Constructive and destructive interference
26Path difference of constructive inerferencePath difference=nλ
n is an integer
27Path difference of destructive interferencePath difference=(n+1/2)λ
n is an integer
28Polarized lightLight where the electric field is only oscillating in one direction
29PolarizerA material that lets light through in only one orientation. Any other light coming through gets blocked or absorbed.
A polarizer can be rotated to block anything but the certain angle the polarizer is defined as letting light through.
30Circular polarizationAchieved by slowing one component of the field, so the light is given a twist. There is right-circular and left-circular polarisation.