Unit 1&2 - Waves Flashcards
What is a wave?
Rhythmic disturbances that carry energy through matter or space.
What are the 2 types of waves?
Transverse and Longitudinal
What is the wavelength of a wave?
The distance between two identical points on a wave.
What is frequency and what is its relation to the period of a wave?
1) Number of waves passing a point per second. Measured in Hertz(Hz)
2) Frequency(Hz)=1/Period
What is the equation for the velocity of a wave?
Velocity(m/s)=wavelength(m) x frequency(Hz)
What is diffraction?
Bending of waves around edges of objects.
What is an antinodal point?
Areas of constructive interference
What is an nodal point?
Areas of destructive interference
What is the rule for reflection?
Angle of Incident = Angle of Reflection
What is Snell’s law?
sin(i)/sin(r) = refractive index (factor by which the sound velocity increases)
What is Resonance?
When the natural frequency of an object (or system) matches the frequency of a forced vibration, which results in amplifications of the vibration of the object (or system).
What is the equation for the wavelength of a string/open pipe standing wave?
Wavelength(m) = 2 x length(m)/Number of harmonics
What is the equation for the wavelength of a closed pipe standing wave?
Wavelength(m) = 4 x length(m)/[2 x Number of harmonics] - 1
What is sound intensity and what is it measured in?
1) the power carried by sound waves per unit area
2) Intensity(1)/Intensity(2)=Radius(2)^2/Radius(1)^2
What is the difference between the loudness of a wave and the pitch of a wave?
Loudness: the amplitude of a sound wave
Pitch: frequency of a sound wave
