Physical Science Flashcards
What is a wave?
A wave is a disturbance that transfers energy through space or matter.
True or False: Sound is a longitudinal wave.
True
What is the speed of sound in air at room temperature?
Approximately 343 meters per second.
Fill in the blank: The frequency of a wave is the number of ____ that pass a point in a given time period.
waves
What is the relationship between wavelength and frequency?
Wavelength and frequency are inversely related; as one increases, the other decreases.
Define amplitude.
Amplitude is the maximum displacement of points on a wave from its rest position.
Multiple Choice: Which type of wave requires a medium to travel through? A) Electromagnetic B) Mechanical C) Both A and B
B) Mechanical
What is the principle of superposition?
The principle of superposition states that when two or more waves overlap, the resulting wave is the sum of the individual waves.
True or False: Light waves are transverse waves.
True
What is the range of human hearing in Hertz?
20 Hz to 20,000 Hz.
Fill in the blank: The speed of light in a vacuum is approximately ____ meters per second.
299,792,458
What is refraction?
Refraction is the bending of a wave as it passes from one medium to another due to a change in speed.
Define resonance.
Resonance is the phenomenon that occurs when a vibrating system or external force drives another system to oscillate with greater amplitude at a specific frequency.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT a property of waves? A) Reflection B) Refraction C) Absorption D) Viscosity
D) Viscosity
What is the Doppler effect?
The Doppler effect is the change in frequency or wavelength of a wave in relation to an observer who is moving relative to the wave source.
True or False: Sound can travel through a vacuum.
False
What is the formula for wave speed?
Wave speed = frequency × wavelength.
Define diffraction.
Diffraction is the bending of waves around obstacles and openings.
Fill in the blank: The color of light is determined by its ____.
wavelength
What is interference?
Interference is the interaction between waves that meet, resulting in a new wave pattern.
Multiple Choice: Which phenomenon explains the separation of white light into a spectrum? A) Reflection B) Refraction C) Diffraction D) Interference
B) Refraction
What is an echo?
An echo is the reflection of sound that arrives at the listener after a delay.
True or False: The human eye can detect ultraviolet light.
False
What is the unit of frequency?
Hertz (Hz)
Fill in the blank: The electromagnetic spectrum is arranged by increasing _____.
frequency
What is the difference between constructive and destructive interference?
Constructive interference occurs when waves combine to make a larger amplitude, while destructive interference occurs when waves combine to make a smaller amplitude.
Define pitch.
Pitch is the perceived frequency of a sound, determining how high or low it sounds.
