Ch14 Properties Of Waves

Question 1

Define model:

Answer 1

A way of representing a system in order to understand how it functions

Question 2

Define ripple tank:

Answer 2

A shallow water tank used to demonstrate how waves behave

Question 3

Define ripple:

Answer 3

A small uniform wave on the surface of water

Question 4

Define crest/peak:

Answer 4

The highest point of a wave

Question 5

Define trough:

Answer 5

The lowest point of a wave

Question 6

Define wavelength:

Answer 6

The distance between two adjacent crests/troughs of a wave

Question 7

Define wave speed:

Answer 7

The speed at which wave travels

Question 8

Define transverse wave:

Answer 8

A wave in which the vibration is at right angles to the direction of propagation of the wave

Question 9

Define longitudinal wave:

Answer 9

A wave in which the vibration is forward and back, parallel to the direction of propagation of the wave

Question 10

Define seismic waves:

Answer 10

Waves caused by earthquakes

Question 11

Define P-waves:

Answer 11

Fast moving longitudinal seismic waves

Question 12

Define S-waves:

Answer 12

Slow moving, transverse seismic waves

Question 13

What is the formula for wave speed?

Answer 13

Wave speed = frequency x wavelength

Question 14

Define wavefront:

Answer 14

A line joining adjacent points on a wave that are all in step with each other

Question 15

Define diffraction:

Answer 15

When a wave spreads out as it travels through a gap/past the edge of an object

Question 16

Define wave cycle:

Answer 16

The shape of a wave in one wavelenght

Question 17

Name 3 types of Transverse waves:

Answer 17

1) Light and all other electromagnetic waves
2) Secondary seismic waves
3) Water waves

Question 18

Name 2 types of Longitudinal waves:

Answer 18

1) Sound waves
2) Primary seismic waves

Question 19

Define the wavelength of a Longitudinal wave:

Answer 19

The distance between 2 adjacent compressions / 2 adjacent rarefactions, anywhere on a wave

Question 20

What is the symbol for wavelength called?

Answer 20

Lambda

Question 21

Define amplitude in a Longitudinal wave:

Answer 21

The maximum increase/decrease of pressure from the equilibrium

Question 22

When will there be a shadow region?

Answer 22

If the wavelength is less than the size of the barrier/gap

Question 23

What happens to the frequency and wavelength of the wave during diffraction?

Answer 23

They remain unchanged

Question 24

What happens when the wavelength is much larger than the barrier/gap?

Answer 24

The wave may diffract so much that it will bend nearly all around the object

Question 25

Define diffraction:

Answer 25

The ability of waves to bend around obstacles

Question 26

What does the ability of a wave to diffract around a barrier depend on?

Answer 26

The size of the aves wavelength

Question 27

What is evidence that waves exist?

Answer 27

Diffraction
Reflection
Refraction