Waves Flashcards
(42 cards)
What is a wave?
A wave is a disturbance that travels through space and matter, transferring energy from one place to another.
True or False: Waves can only travel through solids.
False: Waves can travel through solids, liquids, and gases.
Fill in the blank: The distance between two consecutive crests of a wave is called the ______.
wavelength
What is the frequency of a wave?
The frequency is the number of cycles of a wave that pass a point in one second.
What is the unit of frequency?
Hertz (Hz)
What is amplitude in the context of waves?
Amplitude is the maximum displacement of points on a wave from its rest position.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is a characteristic of a longitudinal wave? A) Has crests and troughs B) Particles move parallel to the direction of wave travel C) Travels faster than sound D) None of the above
B) Particles move parallel to the direction of wave travel
What type of wave is characterized by oscillations perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation?
Transverse wave
True or False: Sound waves are an example of transverse waves.
False: Sound waves are an example of longitudinal waves.
What is wave speed?
Wave speed is the distance traveled by a wave in a given amount of time.
Fill in the blank: The formula for wave speed is ______ = frequency × wavelength.
speed
What phenomenon occurs when a wave changes direction as it passes from one medium to another?
Refraction
Multiple Choice: Which of the following factors does NOT affect wave speed? A) Medium B) Frequency C) Temperature D) Wavelength
B) Frequency
What is diffraction?
Diffraction is the bending of waves around obstacles or through openings.
True or False: Waves can interfere with each other.
True
What is constructive interference?
Constructive interference occurs when two waves meet and their amplitudes combine to form a larger amplitude.
What is destructive interference?
Destructive interference occurs when two waves meet and their amplitudes cancel each other out.
Fill in the blank: The principle of ______ states that the total displacement of a wave at a point is the sum of the displacements of the individual waves at that point.
superposition
What is a standing wave?
A standing wave is a wave that remains in a constant position, formed by the interference of two waves traveling in opposite directions.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is an example of a mechanical wave? A) Light wave B) Radio wave C) Sound wave D) X-ray
C) Sound wave
What is the Doppler effect?
The Doppler effect is the change in frequency or wavelength of a wave in relation to an observer moving relative to the wave source.
What is a wave?
A wave is a disturbance that travels through space and matter, transferring energy from one place to another.
True or False: Waves can only travel through solids.
False: Waves can travel through solids, liquids, and gases.
Fill in the blank: The distance between two consecutive crests of a wave is called the ______.
wavelength
