Physics Module 5 Flashcards
What are transverse waves?
When the oscillations are at right angles to the direction of travel
What are longitudinal waves?
When the oscillations are in the direction of travel
What is a wavefront?
A way to draw waves. Each one can represent the peak of a transverse wave or the compression of a longitudinal wave.
What is frequency?
The number of waves passing a point per second
What is a period?
The time it takes for one wave to pass
What is wavelength?
The distance between a point on a wave and the equivalent point on the next (i.e crest to crest or trough to trough)
What is amplitude?
The maximum distance between the crest of a wave and the rest point (middle)
What is the wave equation?
speed = frequency x wavelength
How does a wave behave when it reflects off an object?
They reflect off the object at the same angle they strike it
How does a wave behave when it refracts (due to a change in material/water depth)?
The waves slow down, which causes the wavelength to shorten (in order for the frequency to remain the same), so the waves must change direction
How does a wave behave when it diffracts around an obstacle/through a gap?
The waves spread out. Wider gaps produce less diffraction
Why can sound waves not travel through a vaccum?
Because they require a medium
What are the names for the squashed and stretched air pressure caused by sound waves?
Compressions (squashes) and rarefactions (stretches)
What is the speed of sound through air?
Around 340m/s
What factors can affect the speed of sound?
- Temperature
- Pressure
- Different mediums
