Vocab List - Waves & Sounds Flashcards
Wave
A disturbance that transfers energy from one place to another
Frequency
The number of cycles a wave makes per second
Period
The amount of time it takes for a wave to complete one cycle
Amplitude
The maximum displacement (height) from the equilibrium position
Wavelength
The horizontal distance of one full cycle
Longitudinal Waves
A type of wave whose particles move along the direction of - or parallel to - energy transfer
Ex. sound, seismic P waves
Transverse Waves
A type of wave whose particles move perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer
Ex. light, seismic S waves, water waves
Mechanical Waves
A type of wave that requires a medium (or a substance) to move through
Ex. sound, water waves, seismic waves
Electromagnetic wave
A type of wave that does not require a medium to travel through
Ex. light
Doppler Effect
A phenomenon in which an observer hears a different frequency than produced then the source is in motion
Pitch
The frequency of a sound wave
Volume
The amplitude of a sound wave
Infrasound
The frequency range below that which humans can hear
Ultrasound
The frequency range above that which humans can hear
Interference
The interaction of two or more waves
Constructive interference
Interference that occurs when two waves have displacements in the same direction
Destructive interference
Interference that occurs when two waves have displacements in opposite directions
Beats
The phenomenon that occurs when two waves with similar frequencies interfere
Standing wave
A wave created when two identical waves move in opposite directions and interfere with each other.
Node
The points on a standing wave that don’t move - stays at equilibrium.
Antinode
The points on a standing wave with maximum displacements - either crests or troughs
Harmonics
Refers to the different patterns possible on a standing wave
Fundamental
Refers to the first harmonic (n = 1)
Overtone
Refers to higher number harmonics (n > 1)
