PHY203-WAVEFORCE: Mastering Waves,
Magnetism, and Energy Flow in Physics
Waves - Transfer energy in the direction they are traveling
Amplitude - The maximum displacement of a point on the wave from this undisturbed
position
Wavelength - The distance between the same point on two adjacent waves (between the trough
of one wave and the trough of the wave next to it, applies the same way with the
crest,)
Frequency - Is the number of complete waves passing a certain point per second. Frequency is
measured in Hertz (Hz), where 1 wave is 1 Hertz
Period - From the frequency, you can find a period of a wave using the formula
1÷frequency
Transverse waves - Waves were in which the oscillation (vibrations) are perpendicular (90
degrees) to the direction of energy transfer. Some of these waves include:
All electromagnetic wave (light)
Ripples and waves in water
A wave on a string
Longitudinal waves - Waves were the oscillation (vibrations) are parallel to the direction of
energy transfer. Some of these waves include:
Sound wave in air, ultrasound
Shock waves, some seismic waves
Wave speed formula - Wave speed (v)=Frequency(Hz)x Wave length (ƛ)
Absorbed waves - Where waves are absorbed by the material that it is trying to cross into, this
transfers the energy to the material where it gets stored in
Transmitted waves - Where the waves carry on traveling through the material. this often leads
to refraction
Ray diagrams for reflection - When you make a ray diagram for reflection you need to
remember that:
, Angle of incidence=Angle of reflection
The angle of reflection is the angle between the incoming wave and the normal
The angle of reflection is the angle between the normal wave and the reflective wave
The normal wave is an imaginary line that perpendicular to the surface at the point of
incidence, shown at a dotted line
Specular reflection - When a wave is reflected in a single direction by a smooth
surface
Diffuse reflection - When a wave is reflected by a rough surface and the reflected rays are
scattered in lots of different directions
Electromagnetic waves - Are transverse waves that transfer energy from a source to an
absorber. They travel through air or vacuum at the same speed. there are a variety that increase
in frequency overtime.
Refracted waves - When a wave changes direction between materials
Radio waves - These are electromagnetic waves that are made by using an electrical circuit. The
object in which charges the (electrons) oscillating to create the radio waves. This object is called
a transmitter. When radio waves reach a receiver, the radio waves are absorbed. The energy
carried by the waves is transferred to the electrons in the material of the receiver. This energy
causes the electrons in the circuit, if the receiver is part of a complete electrical circuit, to
generate an alternating current which is of the same frequency of the radio waves
Long radio waves - Wave lengths (1-10km) these can be transmitted from one place on the
planet to the other side of the world. This is because these wavelengths can also diffract around
hills, into tunnels etc. This makes it possible for radio signals to be received even if the receiver
isn't in in the line of sight of the receiver
Short radio waves - Wave lengths (1-10m) can like long radio waves be received at long
distances from the transmitter. That's because they are reflected from the ionosphere-an
electrically charged layer in the earths upper atmosphere
Bluetooth - These use short radio waves to send data over short distances between devices
without wires (e.g. Wireless headsets so you can use your phone while driving a car
Medium radio waves - These wave signals (the shorter version) can also reflect from the
ionosphere, depending on atmospheric conditions and the time of day
Magnetism, and Energy Flow in Physics
Waves - Transfer energy in the direction they are traveling
Amplitude - The maximum displacement of a point on the wave from this undisturbed
position
Wavelength - The distance between the same point on two adjacent waves (between the trough
of one wave and the trough of the wave next to it, applies the same way with the
crest,)
Frequency - Is the number of complete waves passing a certain point per second. Frequency is
measured in Hertz (Hz), where 1 wave is 1 Hertz
Period - From the frequency, you can find a period of a wave using the formula
1÷frequency
Transverse waves - Waves were in which the oscillation (vibrations) are perpendicular (90
degrees) to the direction of energy transfer. Some of these waves include:
All electromagnetic wave (light)
Ripples and waves in water
A wave on a string
Longitudinal waves - Waves were the oscillation (vibrations) are parallel to the direction of
energy transfer. Some of these waves include:
Sound wave in air, ultrasound
Shock waves, some seismic waves
Wave speed formula - Wave speed (v)=Frequency(Hz)x Wave length (ƛ)
Absorbed waves - Where waves are absorbed by the material that it is trying to cross into, this
transfers the energy to the material where it gets stored in
Transmitted waves - Where the waves carry on traveling through the material. this often leads
to refraction
Ray diagrams for reflection - When you make a ray diagram for reflection you need to
remember that:
, Angle of incidence=Angle of reflection
The angle of reflection is the angle between the incoming wave and the normal
The angle of reflection is the angle between the normal wave and the reflective wave
The normal wave is an imaginary line that perpendicular to the surface at the point of
incidence, shown at a dotted line
Specular reflection - When a wave is reflected in a single direction by a smooth
surface
Diffuse reflection - When a wave is reflected by a rough surface and the reflected rays are
scattered in lots of different directions
Electromagnetic waves - Are transverse waves that transfer energy from a source to an
absorber. They travel through air or vacuum at the same speed. there are a variety that increase
in frequency overtime.
Refracted waves - When a wave changes direction between materials
Radio waves - These are electromagnetic waves that are made by using an electrical circuit. The
object in which charges the (electrons) oscillating to create the radio waves. This object is called
a transmitter. When radio waves reach a receiver, the radio waves are absorbed. The energy
carried by the waves is transferred to the electrons in the material of the receiver. This energy
causes the electrons in the circuit, if the receiver is part of a complete electrical circuit, to
generate an alternating current which is of the same frequency of the radio waves
Long radio waves - Wave lengths (1-10km) these can be transmitted from one place on the
planet to the other side of the world. This is because these wavelengths can also diffract around
hills, into tunnels etc. This makes it possible for radio signals to be received even if the receiver
isn't in in the line of sight of the receiver
Short radio waves - Wave lengths (1-10m) can like long radio waves be received at long
distances from the transmitter. That's because they are reflected from the ionosphere-an
electrically charged layer in the earths upper atmosphere
Bluetooth - These use short radio waves to send data over short distances between devices
without wires (e.g. Wireless headsets so you can use your phone while driving a car
Medium radio waves - These wave signals (the shorter version) can also reflect from the
ionosphere, depending on atmospheric conditions and the time of day
