Sound Waves Flashcards
Why can sound not travel through an empty space?
Sound can not travel through an empty space because there are no air molecules to vibrate
What do sound waves carry?
Energy
Why does sound travel faster in solids than gasses
The particles in a solid are very close together, so sound is passed on more quickly
What is amplitude?
Amplitude is the maximum amount of vibration as measured from the middle of the wave. Its measured in metres.
What is the equation for frequency
1/time period
How fast does sound travel in air?
330 m/s
What is a sound wave
A vibration produces a sound wave
A vibration is something that moves backwards and forwards
The vibration makes the air molecules move backwards and forward and this causes a sound wave
Which is faster, sound or light?
By how much?
Light travels 1 million times faster than sound
what is an oscilliscope?
What does it do?
An oscilliscope is a way of displaying sound waves. the microphone converts the oscillations in the air into a changing p.d and the screen shows a p.d vs time graph,
What is a longitudinal wave?
A longitudinal wave is when the oscillations are parallel to the wave motion.
What will make a bigger amplitude?
A louder sound
What is wave length
Wave length is the distance between two corresponding points on a wave
What is frequency?
The number of waves produced in a minute
What is a the crest?
The crest is the peak of the wave
What is the trough?
The bottom of the wave
