Mechanical Waves

Question 1

what is compression

Answer 1

area in a longitudinal wave where the particles are squashed close together

Question 2

what is wave speed and what are the units

Answer 2

the speed at which energy is transferred (or the waves move) through a medium
-metres per second (m/s)

Question 3

what is frequency and what are the units

Answer 3

number of waves passing a fixed point per second
-hertz (Hz)

Question 4

what is wavelength and what are the units

Answer 4

distance from a point on one wave to the equivalent point on an adjacent wave
-metres

Question 5

what is amplitude and what are the units

Answer 5

maximum displacement of a point on the waves from its undisturbed position
-metres

Question 6

what is rarefaction

Answer 6

area in a longitudinal wave where particles are pulled further apart

Question 7

what is a longitudinal wave and give an example

Answer 7

a wave with oscillations parallel to the direction of energy transfer
-sound waves

Question 8

what is a transverse wave and give an example

Answer 8

a wave with oscillations/vibrations perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer
-electromagnetic waves