Topic 6- Waves In Air, Fluids And Solids Flashcards
What are the 2 types of waves?
Transverse and longitudinal
What is a transverse wave?
A wave where the oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer
What is a longitudinal wave?
A wave where the oscillations are parallel to the direction of energy tranfer
What is an example of transverse waves?
Electromagnetic
What is an example of longitudinal waves?
Sound waves
What are the 2 parts of longitudinal waves called?
Compressions and rarefactions
What is amplitude?
Maximum displacement of a point on a wave from its undisturbed position
What is wavelength?
Most commonly peak to peak or trough to trough
What is the frequency?
The number of waves that passes a given point each second
What is the unit of frequency?
Hertz, Hz
What is meant by a frequency of 200Hz
200 waves pass a given point each second
What is wave speed?
The speed at which the wave moves
What does a wave transfer?
Energy
What word describes when a wave bounces off a surface?
Reflection
How do waves travel through a solid?
Particles vibrate and transfer kinetic energy through material
What are ultrasound waves?
Waves that have a frequency higher than the upper limit of human hearing
Give an example of use for ultrasound waves?
Medical or industrial imaging
State a difference between the mediums that P-waves and S-waves can travel through
- P-waves travel through solids and liquids
- S-waves only travel through solids
What technique is used to detect objects in deep water and measure water depth?
Echo sounding
High frequency sound waves are emitted, reflected and detected
Time difference between emission and detection, alongside wave speed, are used to calculate distances
