Unit 2 - Physics Flashcards
What is the amplitude of a wave?
On a graph with displacement as the Y axis, the height of the wave above or below the 0 line, maximum amplitude is to the wave peak but all points on the wave have an amplitude
What is the period of a wave?
On a displacement-time graph, it is the time from one peak to the next
What is frequency?
The number of wave cycles per second, symbol f, measured in Hertz (Hz)
What is a waves phase?
How far through the waves cycle a given point is, measured as the angle as if a complete cycle is a circle, can be degrees or radians
What is wave speed?
The rate of movement of the wave, the speed the wave moves at
Wave speed = frequency x wavelength
v=fλ
How is frequency calculated?
Frequency = 1/period
f=1/t
What is the time period of a wave?
The time between wave peaks
What is wavelength?
The distance between a point on a wave and the same point on the next cycle of the wave
How is the time period calculated?
Time period = 1/frequency
t=1/f
What is phase?
The stage a point on a wave is through a complete cycle, measure as an angle in degrees or radians
What is a longitudinal wave?
A wave where the amplitude travels along the direction of movement, eg. A sound wave
What is a transverse wave?
A wave where the amplitude moves at 90 degrees to the line along which the wave travels, either up and down or left and right
How does a speaker work?
A magnet moves a cone back and forth to compress air and as such create sound waves at the frequency and amplitude of the cones vibration
What is a compression? (Waves)
An area in a longitudinal wave in which the particles are closer together than at their equilibrium state
What is a rarefaction? (Waves)
An area in a longitudinal wave where the particles are further apart than at their equilibrium state
