Physics 6: Waves Section 4: Refraction Diagrams Section 5: The Electromagnetic Spectrum

19 Electromagnetic The collective name for all types of EM radiation. They are all
Section 1: Describing Waves 12a – Refraction ray Spectrum transverse waves that travel at 300,000,000 m/s.
The maximum displacement of a point on a wave away from its diagram
1 Amplitude High energy radiation which can remove electrons leaving
undisturbed position.
20 Ionising ions. If this happens in DNA it can cause a mutation that could
The distance from a point on one wave to the equivalent point lead to cancer.
2 Wavelength
on the next wave.
Gamma rays are produced from the decay of an unstable
3 Frequency The number of waves passing a point each second. 21 Production nucleus.
Oscillations are along the same direction as the direction of Radio waves are produced by oscillations in electrical circuits.
4 Longitudinal
travel e.g. sound waves. 22
Oscillations are at right angles to the direction of travel e.g.
5 Transverse
water waves, all electromagnetic waves.
6 Period The time needed for one wave to pass a given point.
Region in a longitudinal wave where the particles are closest
7 Compression
together.
Region in a longitudinal wave where the particles are furthest
8 Rarefaction
apart.
9 Absorb When the energy of an EM wave is taken up by an object. Section 6: Properties of EM Waves and Sound Waves
10 Transmit When a wave is able to pass through a material. Property EM Wave Sound Wave
The wave bounces off a surface; the angle of incidence is 23 Speed 300,000,000 m/s Much slower (around 330 m/s)
11 Reflect 24 Medium it can Can travel through anything, even Solids, liquids, gases
equal to the angle of reflection.
The wave changes direction when it enters a medium of travel through a vacuum (space).
12 Refract 12b – Refraction wave 25 Type of wave Transverse Longitudinal
different densitywhere it has a different speed.
front diagram 26 Wavelength Very short Longer
8 7
Section 3: Uses and Risks of EM Radiation
1 2 EM Wave Use Why it’s suitable (HT) Risks
27 Radio Reflected by ionosphere so can
Television and radio
Waves broadcast over long distances.
4 Longitudinal Wave 5 Transverse Wave Able to pass through the
Satellite communications,
28 Microwaves atmosphere to satellites. Has a
Section 2: Measuring the Speed of Sound cooking food
heating effect.
13 Measure the distance to a building. Electrical heaters, cooking Has a heating effect. Emitted by
14 Fire a starting pistol and start a timer. 29 Infrared
food, infrared cameras objects so can be detected.
15 Stop the timer when the echo is heard. Able to pass along a cable by total
16 Half your value for time. 30 Visible Light Fibre optic communications
internal reflection.
17 Work out the speed using distance divided by time. Premature skin ageing, increase
Energy efficient lamps, sun Increases amount of melanin
Section 3: Equations to learn 31 Ultraviolet risk of skin cancer (some can
tanning (brown pigment) in skin.
Calculation Equation Symbol Units ionize)
equation Medical imaging and Absorbed by bone but transmitted Ionizing – can cause mutation of
32 X-Rays
18 Wave Wave speed = v=fλ Wave speed - metres per second treatments through soft tissue. genes and cancer
speed frequency x (m/s) Able to pass out of body and be
33 Gamma Medical imaging and Ionizing – can cause mutation of
wavelength Frequency - hertz (Hz) detected by gamma cameras. Can
Rays treatments genes and cancer
Wavelength - metres (m) kill cancerous cells.