Chapter 6: Waves Flashcards
Waves, Phase, Wavelength, Sound, Vibration, Audibility, Frequency on a string, Amplitude
What is a wave motion?
A disturbance or periodic motion that transfers energy from one point to another with no transport of the medium
How do waves carry energy?
Particles in the wave bump into each other, transferring energy
How is energy carried in electromagnetic waves?
Through vibration of electric and magnetic fields
How is energy carried in sound waves?
Through vibration of the particles of the medium
What is the period of the wave?
The time taken to produce one wave cycle or oscillation
What is the frequency of the wave
The number of oscillations in one second
What is the amplitude of the wave?
The maximum displacement of a particle from rest position
What is the difference between a transverse and longitudinal wave?
In transverse waves, particles move perpendicular to wave direction, while in longitudinal waves, particles move parallel to wave direction
What is the phase of a particle in a wave?
The relative value the particle is with respect to an oscillation
What does two particles being in phase mean?
The particles in the wave have the same direction and displacement
What does two particles being in anti-phase mean?
The particles in the wave have the same displacement but opposite direction
What does two particles being out of phase mean?
The particles in the wave have different displacement
What is wavelength?
The distance between two consecutive points in phase or the distance between two consecutive crests / troughs / compressions / rarefactions
What is a wavefront?
An imaginary line connecting all points in phase
What is the wave equation?
Wavelength = Velocity / Frequency
