Extra Flashcards
When a mechanical wave travels from one medium to another, which variable is unaffected?
a) Amplitude
b) Frequency
c) Velocity
d) Wavelength
b) FREQUENCY
When a wave train is moving through a medium, the amplitude of the wave is what?
the maximum displacement of the medium (height of crest or trough)
When a longitudinal wave moves through a medium, the medium moves back and forth ________ to the direction of wave motion but generally stays in the SAME PLACE
parallel
What makes a spring an IDEAL spring?
If its frictionless, massless, and linear
A pulse travels along an IDEAL spring with a FIXED end. Is the reflected pulse inverted?
YES
A pulse travels along an IDEAL spring with a FIXED end. When friction is involved, the amplitude of the reflected pulse is ____ than the amplitude of the incident pulse
LESS
The principle of superposition states that when two pulses occupy the same point in a medium, the displacement at that point is the algebraic ___ of the displacement of the individual pulses
SUM
Two students hold opposite ends of a slinky. One sends a transverse wave down the slinky and it bounces back and forth between the students. Why does the wave eventually disappear?
Energy is lost to friction (heat) and sound
a wave that oscillates parallel to direction of motion
longitudinal wave
the maximum displacement of a wave
amplitude
the center line around which a wave oscillates
equilibrium
when two pulses pass through the same place at the same time
interference
a wave that oscillates perpendicular to the direction of motion
transverse wave
the only thing that is transmitted by waves
energy
half of a wave (only crest or trough)
wave pulse
_____ and __________ are determined by properties of the medium
speed and wavelength
what is frequency determined by?
the source of the wave
If the frequency of the wave is doubled, does the wave speed change?
No. Wave speed depends on the medium.
If the frequency of the wave is doubled, what happens to the wavelength?
the wavelength will be half of the original
would you increase or decrease the frequency of a wave generator to produce a wave with a longer wavelength?
since speed cannot change, v=fλ, to increase the λ, f has to decrease
what is the law of reflection for waves?
a wave will reflect off of a surface at the same angle that it hit the surface
what is the law of refraction for waves?
when a wave changes mediums, it will bend and the f and x will change
the substance a wave travels through
medium
(true/false) wave speed depends entirely on medium
TRUE
(true/false) Wavelength depends on V and F (and medium)
TRUE
(true/false) Frequency depends on medium
FALSE!!! frequency foes not depend on medium
