Waves and Heat Transfer Flashcards
Wave
A wave is a predictable pattern of movement that is caused by a disturbance. Waves transfer energy, not matter, outwards from the source of the disturbance.
Transverse Wave
A wave where the energy moves perpendicular to their vibrational movement. This is the type of wave that has crests and troughs.
Longitudinal wave
A wave that travels parallel to their vibrational movement. They compress and rarefact.
e.g. sound waves
Crest
Mechanical wave
The maximum displacement of particles from the midpoint in a positive (upward) direction, the highest point of a wave
Trough
Mechanical Wave
The maximum displacement of the particles from the midpoint in a negative (downward) direction, or the lowest point in a wave
Wavelength
The distance between the same 2 points on a wave (crest to crest, trough to trough). Measured in metres.
Frequency
The number of waves passing through a certain point every second.
Period
The time taken for one oscillation (cycle) of a wave
Amplitude
Mechanical wave
The maximum displacement of particles from the midpoint
Mechanical Waves
A type of wave that requires particles, cannot travel through a vacuum. A disturbance causes particles to vibrate and collide with each other, transferring energy( similar to the process of conduction)
e.g. sound waves
Vacuum
An area that is devoid of particles. Space is considered to be an example of a vacuum
Electromagnetic waves
A type of wave that does not require particles, so can travel through a vacuum. Made of vibrating electric and magnetic fields.
e.g. light waves
Electromagnetic radiation
A pair of electric and magnetic fields that propagate together at the speed of light
Heat
Thermal energy that is transferred from warmer objects to cooler objects
Temperature
A measure of how much thermal energy a substance contains
