UNIT 2 CHEAT SHEET

 How standing waves are formed / Single source interference

Wave is reflected and transmitted and reflected wave travelling in opposite directions meet
Superposition occurs
As waves have same frequency, wavelength and amplitude
Where waves meet in phase, constructive superposition occurs, producing antinodes with maximum
amplitude
Where waves meet antiphase, destructive superposition occurs, producing nodes with minimum amplitude

 Standing waves on string as frequency increased

Wave speed is constant
When frequency increases, wavelength decreases
At most frequencies, no standing wave
At higher frequencies, more nodes and antinodes
Always a node at either end
Amplitude is less if there is greater number of nodes
After first standing wave, more occur for multiples of that frequency

 Double slit interference

When waves pass through slits, they diffract
Waves have same frequency, wavelength and amplitude [Waves are from coherent sources]
Waves from each slit meet and superpose
Where path difference is nλ, waves meet in phase, constructive interference occurs, producing
antinode/maxima/bright fringe with maximum amplitude
1
Where path difference is (n+ )λ, waves meet antiphase, destructive interference occurs, producing
2
node/minima/dark fringe with minimum amplitude

 Polarisation explanation
Unpolarised light includes oscillations in many planes
After passing through first polarising filter, oscillations are in a single plane which includes direction of
propagation
When planes of polarisation of filters are parallel (0°, 180°, 360°), light is transmitted, so maximum
intensity
As second filter rotated, only a component of light parallel to plane of polarisation of filter is transmitted,
decreasing intensity
When planes of polarisation of filters are perpendicular (90°, 270°), light is absorbed/blocked, so
minimum intensity

 How to measure angle of rotation of plane of polarisation

Pass polarised light through polarising filter
Rotate filter, without sugar solution, until minimum intensity
[Minimum intensity because easier to judge when dark instead of maximum intensity]
Rotate filter, with sugar solution, until minimum intensity
Find difference between angles with and without sugar solution
Using a polarimeter

 Photoelectric emission explanation

Light consists of small energy packets of electromagnetic radiation called photons
Photons have energy hf // Photon energy is proportional to frequency
When energy of photon is greater than or equal to work function of metal
Electrons are emitted
Kinetic energy of electrons is maximum as some energy may be transferred to metal
[So electroscope loses charge and leaf falls]
*Define terms if asked
 Why gases emit light / Line spectrum explanation
Electrons in atoms exist in certain discrete energy levels
Electrons in atoms gain energy and become excited and are promoted to a higher energy level
Excited electrons are unstable and subsequently fall back to a lower energy level
By emitting excess energy in the form of a single photon
Photon emitted has energy of difference in energy levels
Only certain photon energies possible as only certain differences in energy levels // energy transitions //
energy changes possible
As E=hf // E is proportional to f, only certain frequencies are emitted
[Different elements have unique energy levels ∴ different energy differences in energy levels
So photons with different frequencies are emitted]