Ch. 1 Characteristics of Waves

Question 1

disturbance involving the transfer of energy from place to place

Answer 1

Wave

Question 2

the maximum distance the medium vibrates from the rest position

Answer 2

Amplitude

Question 3

a point of maximum amplitude on a standing wave

Answer 3

Antinode

Question 4

an area where the coils are close together in a longitudinal waves

Answer 4

Compression

Question 5

the interference that occurs when two waves combine to make a wave with an amplitude larger than the amplitude of either of the individual waves

Answer 5

Constructive Interference

Question 6

a high point on a transverse wave

Answer 6

Crest

Question 7

the interference that occurs when two waves combine to make a wave with an amplitude smaller than the amplitude of either of the individual waves

Answer 7

Destructive Interference

Question 8

the bending or spreading of waves as they move around a barrier or pass through an opening

Answer 8

Diffraction

Question 9

the ability to do work

Answer 9

Energy

Question 10

the number of waves that pass a given point in a certain amount of time

Answer 10

Frequency

Question 11

units of measurement for frequency

Answer 11

Hertz

Question 12

the interaction between the waves that meet

Answer 12

Interference

Question 13

vibrates the medium in the same direction in which the wave travels

Answer 13

Longitudinal Wave

Question 14

waves that require a medium to travel

Answer 14

Mechanical Waves

Question 15

the material through which a wave travels

Answer 15

Medium

Question 16

a point of zero amplitude on a standing wave

Answer 16

Node

Question 17

the part of a longitudinal wave where the particles of the medium are far apart

Answer 17

Rarefaction

Question 18

the bouncing back of an object or wave when it hits a surface through which it cannot pass

Answer 18

Reflection

Question 19

the bending of waves as they enter a new medium at an angle, caused by a change in speed

Answer 19

Refraction

Question 20

the increase in the amplitude of a vibration that occurs when external vibrations match an object’s natural frequency

Answer 20

Resonance

Question 21

how far a wave travels in a given amount of time

Answer 21

Speed

Question 22

a wave that appears to stand in one place, even though it is two waves interfering as they pass each other

Answer 22

Standing Wave

Question 23

combination of transverse and longitudinal waves

Answer 23

Surface Waves

Question 24

a wave that vibrates the medium at right angles, or perpendicular, to the direction in which a wave travels

Answer 24

Transverse Wave

Question 25

a low point on a transverse wave

Answer 25

Trough

Question 26

repeated back and forth or up and down motion

Answer 26

Vibration

Question 27

the distance between the crest of one wave to the crest of another wave

Answer 27

Wavelength