Waves Final Flashcards
What is the difference between a longitudinal and transverse wave?
In a longitudinal wave, the motion of the medium is parallel to the direction of the wave .
A transverse wave is a wave in which the motion of the medium is a right angles to the direction of the wave.
What is carried by a wave?
Energy
What are the only two ways to change the speed of a wave?
Density
What variables are included in the v = fλ formula and how do you use it?
V= Velocity
F= Frequency
Y= Wavelength
You multi. the frequency and the wavelength to find out the velocity.
What is the difference between an incident pulse, reflected pulse and transmitted pulse?
If a pulse is introduced at the left end of the rope, it will travel through the rope towards the right end of the medium. This pulse is called the incident pulse since it is incident towards
A reflected pulse reflects backwards towards the medium it came from.
A transmitted pulse travels though a medium and reflect back at the same time.
How do we identify the parts of the standing wave and determine which harmonic it is?
the anti-node is athe the round edges and a node is at the cross line, every bump is another harmonic.
What is the difference between a mechanical wave and an electromagnetic wave? Give examples.
An electromagnetic wave is a wave which is capable of transmitting its energy through a vacuum (i.e., empty space)
A mechanical wave is a wave which is not capable of transmitting its energy through a vacuum. Mechanical waves require a medium in order to transport their energy from one location to another. A sound wave is an example of a mechanical wave.
