Waves Flashcards
Wave : definition
Waves transfer energy from one place to another
Transverse waves
Particles of the medium (air/water) vibrate (move to and fro) at right angles to the direction of travel of the wave
particles of the medium vibrate in the same direction as - ie parallel to - the direction of travel of the wave.
In longitudinal waves the particles of the medium vibrate in the same direction as - ie parallel to - the direction of travel of the wave.
Crest
High parts of a wave
Troughs
Low parts of waves
Wavelength
The distance between any two successive peaks (or between any two successive troughs)
Amplitude
the height of a crest above the average level (or the depth of a trough below it)
Frequency
the number of waves per second - or the number of cycles per second or the number of oscillations per second.
What longitudinal waves have instead of peaks and troughs?
Compressions and rarefactions
Wave equation
Speed = frequency x wavelength
Frequency measurement
Hz
Wavelength measurement
M
What is used to change sound waves into electrical signals?
Microphone
What is the loudness of a sound measured by?
It’s amplitude
What is the pitch of a sound measured by?
Its frequency
Relationship between angle of incidence and angle of reflection
I = r
speed of waves in shallow water
Slow
Wavelength of waves in shallow water
Shorter