17.1 - mechanical waves Flashcards
1
Q
what is a wave?
A
a disturbance that transmits energy through matter/space
2
Q
what is a mechanical wave?
A
energy causes a vibration to travel through a medium
3
Q
what is a vibration?
A
a repeating back and forth motion
4
Q
what is a medium
A
a material through which a wave travels
5
Q
which waves do not require a medium
A
electromagnetic waves
6
Q
how do we know that waves can do energy?
A
they can do work
7
Q
what is a transverse wave?
A
a wave with perpendicular motion; perpendicular at highest point
8
Q
what is a longitudinal wave?
A
a wave with parallel motion
9
Q
what is compression
A
when particles in a medium are close together
10
Q
what is rarefaction
A
when particles in a medium are spread out
