9.3 Flashcards
(18 cards)
What is a wave capable of transmitting?
Energy from one place to another without moving any matter over the same distance.
What are the two types of vibrations that waves travel through?
Forwards and backwards, or up and down.
Define a transverse wave.
A vibration that goes up and down, sending a wave out at right angles to the vibration.
List examples of transverse waves.
- Ripples on a pond
- Vibrations of a string
- Light
- S-waves in earthquakes
Define a longitudinal wave.
A vibration that goes forwards and backwards, with energy carried away in the same direction.
List examples of longitudinal waves.
- Shock waves
- P-waves in earthquakes
- Sound waves
What is a mechanical wave?
A wave that requires particles to carry the energy.
What are electromagnetic waves?
Waves that do not need particles to carry the wave; they transfer energy using fields.
What is the medium in wave terminology?
The particles that carry the energy of a wave.
What are the most important properties of a wave to measure?
- Wavelength
- Frequency
- Amplitude
How is wavelength defined in a transverse wave?
The distance between two peaks, two troughs, or any two corresponding points on neighboring waves.
In a compression wave, how is the wavelength defined?
The distance between the center of two neighboring compressions or two neighboring rarefactions.
Define frequency in the context of waves.
The number of complete vibrations or waves made in one second.
What unit is used to measure frequency?
Hertz (Hz).
What does a frequency of 1 Hz represent?
One vibration per second.
How does frequency relate to pitch in sound waves?
High-frequency vibrations produce high pitch, and low-frequency vibrations produce low pitch.
What is amplitude in wave terminology?
The maximum distance that each particle moves away from its usual resting position.
How is amplitude related to sound volume?
Higher amplitudes correspond with louder sounds due to higher pressure in the compressions.
