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Unit-3-Waves-Definitions and Formula Sheet

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68 views3 pages

Unit-3-Waves-Definitions and Formula Sheet

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aaisp018675
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© © All Rights Reserved
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IGCSE Physics (0625) Formulae Sheet

Unit: 3: Properties of Waves including light and sound

Important Definitions/Rules
Transverse waves Particles of the medium vibrate perpendicular to the direction of wave motion. (Radio, micro, light infrared etc.)
Longitudinal waves Particles of the medium vibrate parallel to the direction of wave motion. (sound waves)
Amplitude Maximum displacement of a vibrating body or particle of the medium from its rest position.
Time period Time taken by a vibrating body to complete one vibration or time taken by a wave to pass through a fixed point.
Frequency Number of vibrations completed by a vibrating body in unit time or number of waves passing through a fixed point in unit time.
Wavelength Distance between two adjacent crests or troughs or similar points on the wave pattern.
Wave front Surface on which particles of the medium have the same phase of vibration. (a moving crest)
Wave speed Distance travelled by a wave front in unit time.
Reflection of light Bouncing back of light from a smooth surface
Law of reflection Angle of incidence is equal to angle of reflection
Angle of incidence Angle between normal and incident ray
Angle of reflection Angle between normal and reflected ray
Virtual image The image which cannot be obtained on the screen
Real image The image which can be obtained on the screen
Image in plane mirror Virtual / up right / same size as the object / same distance as the object from the surface of the mirror / latterly inverted
Refraction of light Bending of light ray when it enters from one transparent medium to another.
Refractive index Measure of the bending of a ray of light when passing from one medium into another.
Critical angle Angle of incidence in the denser medium for which the corresponding angle of refraction in the rarer medium is 90˚.
Total internal reflection (TIR) Complete reflection of a ray of light within a medium such as water or glass
Conditions for to TIR 1. Angle of incidence is greater than critical angle- 2. Ray enters from denser to rarer medium.
Optical centre The geometrical centre of the lens.
Principal axis A horizontal line passing through the optical centre.
Focal length Distance from the centre of the lens (optical centre) and focus point.
Principal focus Point where the convex lens focus the parallel rays.
A single convex lens act as a magnifying glass if the object is placed inside its focal length. Virtual, erect and enlarged
Magnifying glass
image is formed on the same side of the lens.
Dispersion of light Splitting up of white light into its colours by passing it through a glass prism.
Colours of white light Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet, indigo.
Monochromatic light A light of single frequency. ( a single colour light like laser)
Electromagnetic waves Radio waves, micro waves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, x-ray, gamma rays.
Radio (radio and television communications), micro (satellite television and telephones), infrared (electrical appliances,
Uses of electromagnetic
remote controllers for televisions and intruder alarms, visible light ( photosynthesis, photography, reading) X-rays
waves
(medicine and security), Gamma rays ( treatment of cancer, fault detection in gas pipes)
Sound Longitudinal waves in air.
Compression Region of high pressure where particles of the medium are pushed together.
Rarefaction Region of low pressure where particles of the medium are away from each other.

Department of Physics, Al Ansar International School


Approximate range of
20 Hz to 20000 Hz (20 Hz to 20 kHz)
audible frequencies
Ultrasound Sounds of frequency greater than 20000 Hz.
Speed of sound in air Distance travelled by sound waves in unit time in air.
Speed of sound in air 340 m/s
Speed of sound in solids Approximately 3000 m/s to 6000 m/s
Speed of sound in water 1430 m/s
Loudness Depends on amplitude. Greater amplitude means louder sound.
Pitch Depends on frequency. Higher frequency means higher pitch.
Echo Reflected sound.
s.no Physical Quantity / law Formula / Equation in words Formula / Equation in symbols SI unit Other units
1. 1
Frequency 1 / time period f=1/T Hz /s
.
2. 2
Wave speed Frequency x wavelength v=fxλ m/s Km/h
.
3. 3
Wavelength Wave speed / frequency λ=v/f m cm, km
.
4. 4
Frequency Wave speed / wavelength f=v/λ Hz /s
.
5. Distance
5 travelled by
Wave speed x time taken d=vxt m/s Km/h
waves
.
angle of incidence = angle of Degree
6. Law of reflection i=r
reflection (˚)
Refractive index in terms of Speed of light in vacuum / speed
7. n=c/v
speeds of light in medium No unit
Refractive index sine of angle of incidence / sine of
8. From rarer to denser angle of refraction n = sin i / sin r No unit
medium
Refractive index sine of angle of refraction / sine of
9. From denser to rarer angle of incidence n = sin r / sin i No unit
medium
Refractive index in terms of
10. 1 / sine of critical angle n = 1 / sin C No unit
critical angle
Frequency of light x wavelength of
11. Speed of light v=fxλ m/s Km/h
light
12. Wavelength of light Speed of light / frequency of light λ=v/f cm, km
m
13. Frequency of light speed of light / wavelength of light f=v/λ /s
Hz
14. Speed of sound distance / time v=d/t m/s km / h
15. Speed of sound by echo 2 x distance / time v=2xd/t m/s km / h
Frequency of sound x wavelength
16. Speed of sound v=fxλ m/s Km/h
of sound

Department of Physics, Al Ansar International School


Speed of sound / frequency of
17. Wavelength of sound λ=v/f cm, km
sound m
speed of sound / wavelength of
18. Frequency of sound f=v/λ /s
sound Hz

Department of Physics, Al Ansar International School

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