Principles of Physical Science (PHYC-110)

Study Guide for Chapters 6 and 7: Waves; Wave Effects and Optics

 

Chapter 6 – Waves

  1. Know what distinguishes the two basic types of waves (longitudinal and transverse) from each other. Know which type(s) of waves are generated by light and sound.

 

  1. Know what these basic terms mean: amplitude, frequency, period, and wavelength.

 

  1. Know the relationships between wave velocity, frequency, period, and wavelength.

 

  1. Be able to list in order of increasing frequency the seven categories of electromagnetic waves.

 

  1. What wave property is responsible for the appearance of different colors of light?

 

  1. Know how the terms pitch, loudness, and timbre are related to basic sound wave properties.

 

    7.   Know what resonance refers to. Be able to identify examples.

    8.   Know what the Doppler Effect is and understand its application to:

(a) the sound that an approaching and receding siren makes at an intersection; and

(b) the red shift observed with stars and the idea of an expanding universe.

 

Chapter 7 – Wave Effects and Optics

  1. Know what the terms reflection, refraction, dispersion, and polarization refer to with respect to light waves.

 

  1. Know what concave and convex and lenses do to incoming parallel light-rays. What is meant by the focal point (or focal length) of a lens?

 

  1. Know how images are formed with lenses. Know how to identify whether images are real or virtual, upright or inverted, and magnified or diminished.

 

  1. Understand the problem of nearsightedness and farsightedness and how they can be corrected using lenses.