chapter 12- wave properties Flashcards
what do waves do?
they transfer energy from one place to another and are caused by vibrations
name the two types of waves-
mechanical- need a medium to travel through
electromagnetism- do not need a medium, but travel through a vacuum
what are transverse waves?
the vibrations are at 90 degrees to the direction the waves travel in
what are longitudinal waves?
the vibrations are in the same direction that the waves travel in
how is wavespeed worked out?
frequency * wavelength
what is ultrasound?
sound waves with a frequency about 20,000 hz which is too high for a human ear to hear. it can be used to treat kidney stones and detect flaws in metals. it can be better than an x-ray because they are non-ionising, and produce a real-time image
what are seismic waves?
a wave in the earth that creates earthquakes and other things
what are primary waves?
the initial tremors, that last about one minute that are LONGITUDINAL
what are secondary waves?
happen a few minutes later and cause tremors, which are TRANSVERSE
