Science (Waves part 1) Flashcards
A disturbance that travels through space or matter
wave
When undisturbed the matter the wave travels through is its
equilibrium or point of rest
A single disturbance that moves outward
pulse
a series of pulses
wave
type of matter a wave travels through
wave medium
Waves transfer energy not
matter
Waves that travel through matter need a medium
mechanical waves
Two types of waves
transverse & longitudinal
highest part of a wave
crest
lowest part of a wave
trough
distance between each wave (from crest to crest or from trough to trough)
wavelength
max. distance a point is moved
amplitude
particles vibrate parallel or in the same direction of the disturbance
longitudinal wave (compression wave)
areas of high pressure that is created as vibrating objects move forward
compressions
areas of low pressure that’s created when the vibrating object moved backwards
rarefractions
the greater the compression the greater the
amplitude
the period (T) of a wave is defined as
the time it takes for one vibration of one full wavelength to pass
the number of vibrations a wave makes per second
frequency
how many waves pass a point per second
frequency
relationship between frequency and period
inverse
if speed is constant shorter wavelengths have
higher frequencies
if speed is constant longer wavelengths will have
lower frequencies
