Physics Term 4 Flashcards
Learn all before next week tuesday
What is wave motion
wave motion is a transfer of energy without matter.
Describe how energy is transferred in the form of waves.
Energy is transferred in electromagnetic waves, through vibrations of electric and magnetic fields
Define frequency,
A measure of how many wavelengths pass a point per second
Can waves me longitudinal and transverse? true or false
True
Define wavelength
length between adjacent peaks
Define amplitude
The distance from the centre line to the top of a crest
Define compression and rarefaction
Compression: when particles are close together which creates high pressured regions
Rarefaction: When particles are spread apart which creates low pressured regions
Identify transverse wave characteristics
frequency, amplitude, wavelength, crest, trough.
identify longitudinal wave characteristics
rarefaction, compression.
Identify how changes in frequency and amplitude change what we hear.
Higher frequency = Pitch
Amplitude = volume
Explain how the speed of sound is affected by the medium it is moving through.
The speed of sound is affected by the particle density. Sound travels fastest through solids and slowest through gas.
Recall that period and frequency are alternate statements (of the same characteristic).
Period is how long it takes for a wave to pass a point
