IEB definitions Physics (Energy & Waves) Flashcards
Kinetic Energy
The energy an object has as a result of the objects motion.
Gravitational potential energy
The energy an object possesses due to its position relative to a reference point.
Mechanical Energy
The sum of gravitational potential and kinetic energy at a point.
Law of Conservation of Energy
The total energy in a system cannot be created nor destroyed, only transformed from one form to another.
Principle of Conservation of Mechanical Energy
In the absence of air resistance or any external forces, the mechanical energy of an object is constant.
Transverse wave
The disturbance of medium is perpendicular to direction of propagation of wave.
Longitudinal wave
Waves in which movement of particles of medium is parallel to direction of propagation of wave.
Amplitude
Maximum disturbance of a particle from its rest position (equilibrium position).
Wavelength
Distance between two successive crest or troughs.
Frequency
Number of complete waves that pass a fixed point per second (Hz)
Period
Time taken for a complete wave to pass a fixed point.
