Chapter 9: Introduction to Waves Flashcards
a repeating disturbance that transfers energy through matter or space
wave
matter through which a wave travels
medium
waves that can only travel through matter
mechanical waves
in this type of wave, particles in the medium moves back and forth at right angles to the direction that the wave travels
transverse wave
in this type of wave, matter in the medium moves back and forth along the same direction that the wave travels
longitudinal wave
the high points of a transverse wave
crests
the low points of a transverse wave
troughs
the more dense region of a longitudinal wave
compression
the less-dense regions of a longitudinal wave
rarefaction
the distance between one point on a wave and the nearest point just like it
wavelength
the number of wavelengths that pass a fixed point each second
frequency
the amount of time it takes one wavelength to pass a point
period
the measure of the size of the disturbance from a wave
amplitude
the bending of a wave caused by a change in its speed as it travels from one medium to another
refraction
the bending of a wave around an object
diffraction
the process of two or more waves overlapping and combining to form a new wave
interference
a special type of wave pattern that forms when waves equal in wavelength and amplitude but traveling in opposite directions continuously interfere with each other
standing wave
locations where the interfering waves always cancel
nodes
the process by which an object is made to vibrate by absorbing energy at its natural frequencies.
resonance
wave speed formula:
speed (m/s) = frequency (Hz) * wavelength (m)
v = fλ
waves travel through matter as energy is…
transferred from particle to particle
waves carry energy without…
transporting matter
wave properties depend on the _________________ and the __________________.
vibration of the wave source; material in which the wave travels
as the amplitude of a wave increases, the disturbance from that wave…
increases
waves interact with ______ and with _______ ________.
matter; each other
when reflection of a wave occurs, the __________ equals the _________
angle of incidence; angle of reflection
