mechanical waves Flashcards
(23 cards)
what does wavelength mean
the distance from one point on a wave to the equivalent point on the next wave
what is frequency
the number of waves passing a fixed point per second
what is a waves amplitude
the distance between a waves resting point to its peak or trough
what is rarefaction
the point on a longitudinal wave where the particles are furthest apart
what is a compression
the point on a longitudinal wave where the particles are closest together
what is a peak
the highest point on a transverse wave
what is the trough
the lowest point on a transverse wave
what is a transverse wave
where the oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer
what is a longitudinal wave
where the oscillations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer
what is an example of a transverse wave
water wave
what is an example of a. longitudinal wave
sound wave
what is the symbol and unit for wave length
upside down y and metres
what is the symbol and unit for amplitude
A and metres (m)
what is the symbol and unit for frequency
f and hertz (Hz)
what is the period of a wave
the time taken for one complete wave to pass a fixed point
what is the symbol and unit for period
T and seconds
what is wave speed
the distance travelled by each wave per second and the speed at which energy is transferred by the wave
what is the symbol and unit for wave speed
v and metres per second
what can happen when a wave meets the boundary between two substances
absorption
reflection
refraction
transmission
what is absorption
the energy of the wave is transferred to the energy stores of the substance it travels through eg food being heated in a microwave
what is refraction
the waves change speed and direction as they cross the boundary
what is reflection
the wave bounces back
what is transmission
the waves carry on moving once they’ve crossed the boundary but may be refracted
