Mechanical Waves Flashcards
What is a transverse wave?
Oscillation/vibrations are perpendicular( at a right angle) to the direction of energy transfer
What is a longitudinal wave?
Oscillation/vibrations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer
Give an example of a transverse wave
Electromagnetic waves
Give an example of a longitudinal wave
Soundwaves
What is a compression?
Area in longitude or waves where the particles are squashed closer together
What is a rare fraction?
Area in longitude or wave where the particles are pulled further apart
What is an amplitude of a wave?
Maximum displacement of a point on the wave from its undisturbed position
What is a wavelength of a wave
Distance from a point on one wave to the equivalent point on the adjacent wave
What is the frequency of a wave
Number of waves passing a fixed point per second
What unit is frequency measured in
Hertz
What property of a wave always stays the same when it travels from one medium to another
Frequency
What role do waves follow when they reflect off asurface?
Angles of incident equals angle of reflection
What happens when waves are transmitted at a boundary between two substances?
They carry on moving at different speeds
What happens when waves are absorbed by a substance?
Energy of the wave is transfer, transferred, energy stores of the substance
