P11- Mechanical Waves Flashcards
What is a transverse wave?
A wave that’s oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer
What is a longitudinal wave?
A wave with oscillations parallel to the direction of energy transfer
What is an example of a transverse wave?
Electromagnetic waves
What is an example of longitudinal waves?
Sound waves
Seismic waves
Ultrasound waves
What is a compression?
An area on a longitudinal wave where the particles are closer together
What is a mechanical wave?
A type of wave requiring a medium to transfer through
What is a rarefaction?
Am area on a longitudinal wave where particles are further apart
What is the amplitude of a wave?
The maximum displacement of a wave from its undisturbed position
What is amplitude measured in?
Metres
What is wavelength?
The distance from one point of a wave to the equivalent point on an adjacent wave
What is wavelength measured in?
Metres
What is the frequency of a wave?
The number of waves passing a fixed point per second
What is frequency measured in?
Hertz
What is wave speed?
The speed at which energy is transferred through a medium
What is wave speed measured in?
M/s
