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
