Waves Flashcards
Mechanical Waves
Require a Medium
Examples: Sound, Water
Electromagnetic Waves
Don’t require a medium
Examples: Light, microwaves, x-rays
Waves
A model for explaining the transfer of energy
Medium
A substance or material which carries the wave and is composed of particles that can interact with each other (ex. water, air, wood, etc.)
Part of a Wave: Crest
Highest point
Part of a Wave: Trough
Lowest point
Part of a Wave: Wavelength
Distance between adjacent identical parts of a wave
Part of a Wave: Amplitude
Distance from wave equilibrium (starting point) to crest or trough
Part of a Wave: Frequency
How often a wave occurs
Part of a Wave: Period
Time it takes for one complete wave
How can changing the amplitude of a wave impact its frequency and energy?
More waves, more energy (faster)
Amplitude is distance from wave equilibrium to crest of trough
Transverse Waves
Source of wave move up and down (perpendicular)
Light
Longitudinal Waves
Source of wave moves left to right (parallel)
Sound
Also called compressional waves
Velocity
Distance a wave moves per second.
v = λ f
Velocity (v) m/s
Wavelength (λ) m
Frequency ( f ) Hz
Relationship between wavelength and frequency
As wavelengths get smaller, frequencies get higher
Relationship between frequency and energy (speed)
The higher the frequency, the more energy the wave has (wave speed)
How fast does Light travels compared to sound in air?
Light travels nearly a million times faster than sound in air.
Light and all electromagnetic waves are transverse waves.
What is the Visible Light Spectrum order?
ROY G. BV
red
orange
yellow
green
blue
violet
