Oscillations and waves
Wave phenomena
…cts back. Each point on the boundary behaves like a small wavelet source. the angle of incidence = the angle of reflection Refraction When a wave travels into a more dense medium, it slows down. This causes the wave to change direction. \({\sin i\o…
Oscillations and waves
Thin film interference
…loom and oily puddles all reveal a light phenomenon: thin film interference. It's a tricky concept involving reflection, refraction and phase changes at interfaces. Key Concepts Phase changes at interfaces When a wave reflects off a loose boundar…
Oscillations and waves
Waves
…r its velocity changes resulting in a change of direction. A mathematical relationship can be used to calculate the angle of refraction in the new material. It depends on the refractive indices (plural: index) of the materials: \(n_1 \sin i_1=n_2 \si…
Oscillations and waves
Light
…f light Exam-style Questions Online tutorials to help you solve original problems Question 1 Waves 3: What is the angle of refraction when light passes into a glass block? Question 2 Waves 6: By how much is a light beam deflected when it passes i…
Exam questions
HL practice paper 2
…distance between two equivalent points on consecutive waves (e.g. peak to peak) Displacement-position graphs \(v=f\lambda\) Refraction Critical angle: When light travels from glass to air, it refracts away from the normal. If the angle of incidence…
Exam questions
SL practice paper 2
…distance between two equivalent points on consecutive waves (e.g. peak to peak) Displacement-position graphs \(v=f\lambda\) Refraction Critical angle: When light travels from glass to air, it refracts away from the normal. If the angle of incidence…
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Investigation ideas
…ght Trajectory (with camera) Maximum height and velocity Maximum height and angle Conservation of momentum in 2D Ripple tank Refraction due to change in depth Diffraction through slits and around obstacles Interference between two point sources Stand…
Oscillations and waves
Sound
…etween two compressions. Reflection When a sound wave meets a wall, it pushes against the wall and the wall pushes back. Refraction The velocity of sound in air is related to temperature. If a sound passes from cold air to warm air, its direction…
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Practical work
…ng the Speed of Sound SL/HL 4.4 Determining the Refractive Index of Glass by Real and Apparent Depth SL/HL 4.4 Investigation Refraction of Light, Refractive Index and Critical Angle SL/HL 5.2 Investigating factors that affect Resistance SL/HL 5.3 Det…
Atomic, nuclear and particles
Photoelectric effect and photons
…t There is a significant body of evidence for the wave model of light including interference and diffraction. Reflection and refraction are also wave properties, but are not exclusive to waves. The photoelectric effect is evidence only for the quantu…
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