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waves

Terms in this set (39)

What are three types of mechanical waves?
transverse, longitudinal and surface
What is a wave?
a rhythmic disturbance that transfers energy
What is a transverse wave?
mechanical waves that transfer energy perpendicular to the wave
What is a longitudinal wave?
mechanical waves that transfer energy parallel to the direction of the wave
What does a mechanical wave require?
a medium
What is frequency?
how many times a wave repeats itself per second
What is wavelength?
the distance between 2 crests or troughs
What is a wave's period?
1/f; how long it takes a wave to repeat itself once
How are frequency and period related?
inversely proportional
How are frequency and wavelength related?
if one is large the other is small
How do you calculate period?
1/f
How do you calculate wave speed?
wavelength x frequency
If a sound wave has a high frequency, is its pitch high or low?
high
What do you need to look at to determine a sound wave's Intensity (volume)?
amplitude
What is the highest point on a transverse wave called?
crest
Which type of wave has rarefactions?
longitudinal
What units is frequency measured in?
cycles per second or Hertz
What type of wave is a sound wave?
longitudinal
What is the Doppler effect?
The apparent change in frequency due to a sound wave's motion relative to the observer
When a firetruck is moving closer to you, is its frequency higher or lower?
higher
What is a trough?
The lowest point on a wave
What is reflection?
light bounces at equal angles; does not change frequency or speed of the wave
what is refraction?
when light bends due to a change in speed as it enters a new medium at an angle
Does sound travel faster in solid, liquid or gas?
solid because particles are closer together
Is there sound in space?
No, there is no medium to travel through
Describe a sound wave
sound is a mechanical longitudinal wave
Describe a light wave
light is an electromagnetic transverse wave
Does a lens reflect or refract light?
refract
Does a mirror reflect or refract light?
reflect
Which has higher pitch, high frequency or low frequency?
high frequency
Explain how the ear works
sound is funneled into the ear, the eardrum vibrates to match the frequency of the sound, the bones vibrate to transfer energy and the cochlea changes mechanical energy to electrical energy which allows the brain to interpret the sound
What is the intensity of a wave?
the rate at which a wave's energy flows through a given area
What does intensity depend on?
Sound intensity depends on the wave's amplitude and the distance from the sound source
What is intensity measured in?
decibels
What is pitch?
The frequency of sound as you perceive it
How are frequency and pitch related?
pitch depends on frequency but also on physical factors (like age and health) of the listener
How is a mechanical wave created?
a source of energy causes a vibration to travel through a medium
What is a mechanical wave?
A disturbance in matter that carries energy from one place to another
What is an electromagnetic wave?
a wave that acts like a wave and a particle
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