Waves Flashcards
Velocity (v)
Speed (m/s)
Frequency (f)
Frequency (Hz)
Lambda (λ)
Wavelength (meters)
V=
F•λ
F=
V/λ
λ=
V/f
The number of waves that pass at a given point in a set period of time
Frequency
The distance from crest to crest or trough to trough of a wave
Wavelength
Time for a complete cycle to pass a given point
Period
Matter through which a mechanical wave travels
A medium
A wave in which energy travels perpendicular to the direction of the disturbance
Transverse wave
A wave that doesn’t need a medium to travel through
Electromagnetic waves
A wave in which the energy travels in the same direction as the disturbance
Longitudinal wave
The point in a longitudinal wave where the matter is spaced farther apart
Compression
Peak of the wave
Crest
Bottom of the wave
Trough
The space between 2 troughs or crests
Wavelength
The amplitude is the peak (greatest) value (either positive or negative) of a wave. The distance from the undisturbed level to the trough or crest.
Amplitude
From crest to trough or vise-versa
Wave height
Waves spread out as a result of passing through a narrow aperture or around an edge of a material
rarefaction
The bending of waves as they pass through an object
Diffraction
When waves strike a surface and bounce back in another direction
Refraction
