Sound waves Flashcards
What type wave is a sound wave?
They are longitudinal waves, which means they vibrate in the same direction as the direction of travel.
How are sound waves created?
Through vibrating sources, such as speakers.
What can sound waves travel through?
They can travel through a solid, liquid or a gas medium.
What is a good model for sound waves and why?
A outstretched slinky because the coils near one end are compressed, and the coils near the other end are compressed.
In the sections of the sound wave where it is pushed together what is it called?
Compression areas.
The section where the particles are more far apart on the sound wave, what are they called?
Rarefaction areas.
What is ultrasound?
Ultrasound is the name given to sound waves that have frequencies greater than 20,000Hz. We cannot hear ultrasound.
What is reflections?
When ultrasound waves reach a boundary between two substances with different densities, they are partly reflected back.
How do you calculate the time it takes for an ultrasound wave to leave the source, and bounce back to the detector?
distance is measured in metres (m)
speed is measured in metres per second (metre/second, m/s)
time is measured in seconds (s)
