Chapter 15: Wave Motion

Question 1

Break down of mechanical waves

Answer 1

mechanical waves move through matter, waves do not move the matter, but transport energy through it.
example of a rock being thrown into a pond: energy moves through the water in the form of waves from the rock

Question 2

how is amplitude (A) measured on a sinusoidal wave?

Answer 2

from the middle (equilibrium) of the wave to the highest OR lowest.
- measuring from a crest to a trough is 2A (twice the amplitude)

Question 3

Frequency (f)

Answer 3

the number of crests (or complete cycles) that pass a given point per unit time

Question 4

period (T)

Answer 4

equals 1/f : the time elapsed between two successive crests passing by the same point in space

Question 5

wave speed (v)

Answer 5

wave speed
v = λ * f
if f = 1/T, then wave speed also equals = λ / T

Question 6

transverse waves

Answer 6

up and down; sinusoidal waves

Question 7

longitudinal waves

Answer 7

compression waves; successive compression and expansion along the direction of the wave
- compressions and expansions correspond to crests and troughs of transverse waves

Question 8

what does transverse wave speed depend on?

Answer 8

Transverse wave speed depends on the tension of the medium (chord or wire etc.) and the mass per unit length
v = sqrt( ForceOfTension / μ )
μ = mass(k) / length(m)

Question 9

speed of longitudinal waves