7. Wave Characteristics & Periodic Motion Flashcards
what is a wave the transfer of
energy and momentum from one point to another
what are the 2 types of mechanical waves
transverse and longitudinal
what are transverse waves in terms of what they do to the medium
medium displaced perpendicularly to direction the wave is travelling
what are longitudinal waves in terms of what they do to the medium
causes medium to be displaced parallel to the direction the wave is travelling
what is the wavelength
measured from one point in the wave to the point where the wave repeats itself
what unit is wavelengths measured in
metres
what is frequency of a wave
number of wavelengths passing a single fixed point in one sec
number of cycles per sec
what unit is frequency of a wave measured in
hertz
what is equation for velocity of wave
v = fλ
what is amplitude
maximum displacement of particle from equilibrium point
can amplitude be negative
no, its always positive
what is intensity of wave
square of amplitude
what is the period of a wave
number of seconds it takes for one wavelength to pass a fixed point
what is frequency relationship to period
period is the reciprocal of frequency
T = 1/f
what does it mean when waves are phase with eachother
2 waves begin at the same point and have the same wavelength
