General properties of waves Flashcards
Waves transfer energy without transferring what?
Matter
What is wave motion illustrated by?
Vibrations in ropes, springs, and water waves experiments
Define a wavefront.
A line connecting points on a wave that are in phase (e.g., all crests).
What is the wavelength of a wave?
The distance between two consecutive identical points, such as two crests.
What is frequency?
The number of wavelengths that pass a point per unit time.
Define amplitude.
The maximum distance from the mean position.
State the equation relating wave speed, frequency, and wavelength.
wave speed = frequency × wavelength (v = fλ)
In a transverse wave, what is the direction of vibration relative to the energy transfer?
At right angles to the energy transfer.
Give examples of transverse waves.
Electromagnetic radiation, water surface waves, seismic S-waves.
In a longitudinal wave, what is the direction of vibration relative to the energy transfer?
Parallel to the energy transfer.
Give examples of longitudinal waves.
Sound waves and seismic P-waves.
What happens to a wave during reflection?
It bounces off a plane surface at the same angle as it hits.
What is refraction in waves?
A change in wave direction due to a change in speed when moving through different mediums.
What is diffraction?
The spreading out of waves as they pass through a gap or around an edge.
How does wavelength affect diffraction through a gap?
Longer wavelengths diffract more through a gap than shorter wavelengths.