Waves Flashcards
(21 cards)
Mechanical Waves
Require a physical medium to travel through
Ex. Water, air, spring
Electromagnetic waves
Do not require physical medium to travel through
Ex. Vacuum of space
Transverse waves
Motion of the medium is perpendicular to the direction of wave motion
Longitudinal wave
Motion of the medium is parallel to the direction of wave motion
Wave pulse
Single disturbance travels through medium
Continuous wave
Series of pulses that are the same
Wave speed
The speed at which a wave travels through a medium
Wave frequency
How many cycles are produced per second
Amplitude
Maximum height of a crest, also lowest point for a trough
One dimensional wave
Wave that travels in a straight line
Period
The amount of time it takes to complete a full cycle
Compressions
Medium is bunched up
Rarefactions
Medium is spread out
Law of reflection
Q of incidence = Q of reflection
(Q = angle)
Incident waves are?
Incoming waves
Reflected waves are?
Outgoing waves
What happens when a medium changes from fast to slow
Changes sides
What happens when a medium changes from slow to fast
Same side
Node
Point that remains still through the entire event
Antinode
Point that experiences maximum displacement
Angle of incidence
