module 6 properties of waves Flashcards
oscillation
a repetitive motion that usually occurs about a center point or equilibrium.
equilibrium
a center point in which an oscillating object eventually returns after a disturbance is gone
mechanical waves
these can travel only through matter. they require a medium to transport the energy of the wave.
ex. ocean and soundwaves.
electromagnetic waves
do not require a matter to travel trough
ex. light
they have a transverse wave motion
wave speed equation
waves speed=wave length X frequency
parts of the wave
crest- top
through- bottom
wave length- distance between crests
pulse wave
one crest travels one wave
continuous wave
several waves continuous
transverse waves
the oscillation is perpendicular to the direction the wave is traveling
longitudinal waves
the oscillation is parallel to the direction the wave is traveling (slinky)
ex. sound waves
amplitude
the vertical distance from the equilibrium to the crest
frequency of the wave
tells us how many oscillations the wave makes in a given amount of time
light: the lowest visible frequency is red.
- highest visible frequency is violet
SI unit for oscillations pers second
hertz (Hz)
period
the time for one full oscillation of a particle in a medium
constructive interference
when the waves build on each other and form one big wave
destructive iterference
when the waves cancel each other out
radiowaves
have the longest wavelengths of all EM radiation. Radio wavelengths range from a few meters to millions of meters or more.
microwaves
have wavelengths that are shorter than those of radio waves. The wavelengths range from a few decimeters to a fraction of a centimeter.
infrared
Consequently, infrared frequencies are higher than those of microwaves, but lower than those of visible light. Although we cannot see this radiation, we can feel it through our skin as heat.
ultraviolet
UV wavelengths are comparable to the size of molecules. The frequencies are about 10 to 100 times greater than those of visible light. The greatest source of UV radiation on the earth is the sun.
x-rays
ave wavelengths that are shorter than UV rays but longer than gamma rays. X-rays therefore have higher frequencies and higher energies than ultraviolet radiation.
gamma rays
are produced in nuclear reactions and explosions of giant stars. Gamma rays have the shortest wavelengths and highest frequencies and energies of all EM radiation.
visible light
a very small portion of the EM spectrum. the most abundant radiation from the sun is in the visible part of spectrum