NSAA Physics - Waves and Optics Flashcards
6 cards from real NSAA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 NSAA Physics - Waves and Optics flashcards as text
The critical angle for a glass-air interface is 42°. What is the refractive index of the glass?
Answer: 1.49
n = 1/sin(θc) = 1/sin(42°) ≈ 1/0.669 ≈ 1.49.
Sound travels at 340 m/s. What is the wavelength of a 170 Hz sound wave?
Answer: 2 m
λ = v/f = 340/170 = 2 m.
In a transverse wave, the direction of particle vibration is:
Answer: Perpendicular to wave propagation
In transverse waves, particles vibrate perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer.
The Doppler effect causes the observed frequency of a source moving toward an observer to be:
Answer: Higher than the emitted frequency
When the source moves toward the observer, wavefronts bunch together, increasing the observed frequency.
Which phenomenon explains why a straw appears bent when placed in a glass of water?
Answer: Refraction
The straw appears bent due to refraction — light changes direction when moving from water to air.
Standing waves are formed by the superposition of two waves that are:
Answer: Identical, traveling in opposite directions
Standing waves result from two identical waves (same frequency and amplitude) traveling in opposite directions.
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