Chapter 10: Wave Properties Flashcards
What are longitudinal waves?
A wave where the particles of the medium are oscillating parallel to the propagation of the wave.
What are transverse waves?
A wave where the particles of the medium are perpendicular to the propagation of the wave
What is the amplitude of the wave?
The maximum displacement of the particle of medium from rest position
What is the frequency?
The number of cycles of a vibration of a particle per second
What is the wavelength?
The least distance between two adjacent vibrating particles with the same displacement at the same time
What is the period of a wave?
The time for one complete wave to pass a fixed point
What do waves transfer?
Energy
How do you calculate wave speed?
speed = frequency x wavelength
What is the unit for wave speed?
ms^-1
What is the unit for frequency?
Hertz
What is the unit for wavelength?
metres
What is the unit for the period?
seconds
What is the relationship between frequency and period?
frequency = 1/period
What is diffraction?
the spreading of waves after passing through a gap
How does diffraction depend on the wavelength and size of the gap?
There will be more diffraction if the wavelength is larger than the gap.
