physics topic 3 Flashcards
(15 cards)
How do waves transfer energy
without transferring matter
What are waves caused by
oscillations
what are the two types of waves
Longitudinal and transverse waves
how are oscillations formed in longitudinal waves
the oscillations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer
what is an example of a longitudinal wave
a sound wave
how are oscillations formed in transverse waves
the oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer
what are examples of transverse waves
light and water waves
what is the peak
the highest point on a wave
what is the wavelength
the distance from one point on one wave to the identical point on the next wave
what is amplitude
the maximum distance of a point on the wave from its rest position
what is density
the amount of matter in a given volume
how do you calculate the density of a material
mass/volume
what happens when waves arrive at a boundary between two different materials
they can be reflected, absorbed or transmitted
what is refraction
when the direction of a wave changes because it has changed speed as it has travelled from one medium to another
what is meant by the law of reflection
the angle of incidence is always equal to the angle of reflection
