Waves Flashcards
The number of waves produced by a source each second is the wave’s… what?
Frequency, this is the definition of frequency, a keyword you need to learn.
The more energy a sound wave carries, the louder the sound and the bigger its… what?
Amplitude, if a wave has more energy, the particles will move further from their equilibrium position, so the amplitude will be larger.
Do light waves need a medium to travel through?
No
Do sound waves need a medium to travel through?
Yes
What does wavelength look like on a graph?
Wavelength is the shortest distance between two identical points on consecutive waves, usually shown as the distance between two peaks or two troughs.
What type of wave is a light wave?
Transverse
What type of wave is a sound wave?
Longitudinal
What name is given to sections of longitudinal waves where the medium is “bunched up”?
Compression, a compression in a longitudinal wave is an area where the medium is “bunched up”.
What do all waves transfer?
Energy, not matter
What name is given to sections of longitudinal waves where the medium is “stretched out”?
Rarefaction, a rarefaction in a longitudinal wave is an area where the medium is “stretched out”.
How does a graph show Amplitude?
Amplitude is the maximum displacement of a wave measured from the midpoint, mean or rest position.
What is an area of compression?
Areas of compression are areas where the particles are close together.
