P5.1.1 - Waves and their properties Flashcards
What is a wave?
A wave is an oscillation that transfers energy
What are vibrations?
The backwards and forwards motion of a solid, or particles displaced from an equilibrium position
What are sound waves?
A wave produced by a vibration that needs a medium to travel through
What are electromagnetic waves?
A wave that consists of oscillating electric and magnetic fields
What are mechanical waves?
Waves that requires a medium to travel through
What are longitudinal waves?
A wave whose vibrations are in the same direction of energy transfer of the wave
What are transverse waves?
A wave whose vibrations are at right angles to direction is transfer of energy by the wave
What is time period?
The time for one wave to pass a given point
What is frequency?
The number of waves or oscillations per second
What is amplitude?
Distance from the middle to the top or bottom of a wave
What is wavelength?
The distance from one point on a wave to the same point on the next wave
How can you model transverse waves?
Using ripples on water waves
What are rarefactions?
A part of a sound wave where the pressure is low
What are compressions?
A part of a sound wave where the pressure is high
