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Questions and Answers
Which type of wave vibrates perpendicular to the direction of its motion?
Which type of wave vibrates perpendicular to the direction of its motion?
What property of a wave is defined as the distance from the centerline to a crest or trough?
What property of a wave is defined as the distance from the centerline to a crest or trough?
In mechanical waves, how does the speed of the wave relate to the medium it travels through?
In mechanical waves, how does the speed of the wave relate to the medium it travels through?
What is the formula for calculating the speed of a pulse in a wave?
What is the formula for calculating the speed of a pulse in a wave?
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Doubling the amplitude of a wave affects the energy transferred in which way?
Doubling the amplitude of a wave affects the energy transferred in which way?
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What does frequency describe in relation to waves?
What does frequency describe in relation to waves?
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Which characteristic describes the total distance over which a wave's shape repeats?
Which characteristic describes the total distance over which a wave's shape repeats?
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What occurs when two waves are considered 'in-phase'?
What occurs when two waves are considered 'in-phase'?
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Study Notes
Periodic Motion
- Motion that repeats, from waves, pendulums, or springs.
Waves
- A disturbance transferring energy through matter or space.
- A wave pulse is a single disturbance.
- Two main types: Mechanical and Electromagnetic.
- Mechanical waves need a medium (e.g., water waves, sound waves, waves on a rope).
- Electromagnetic waves do not need a medium (e.g., visible light, radio waves, X-rays).
Mechanical Waves
- Three types: Transverse, Longitudinal, and Surface.
- Transverse waves vibrate perpendicular to the wave's motion.
- Longitudinal waves vibrate parallel to the wave's motion.
- Surface waves have both transverse and longitudinal characteristics.
Measuring and Describing Waves
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Characteristics depend on the wave's production and medium.
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Key characteristics include: speed, amplitude, wavelength, phase, period, and frequency.
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Speed (v): Calculated as distance (d) divided by time (t). Speed depends on the medium for both transverse and longitudinal waves.
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Amplitude (A): Distance from the centerline to a crest or trough, measured in meters (m). Amplitude is directly proportional to energy. Doubling the amplitude increases energy fourfold.
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Wavelength (λ): Distance over which a wave's shape repeats, measured in meters (m). Identical points (e.g., crests, troughs) on adjacent waves are separated by one wavelength. Wavelength and frequency are inversely proportional. (higher wavelength = lower frequency, lower wavelenght = higher frequency).
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Period (T): Time to complete one complete cycle, measured in seconds (s).
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Frequency (f): Number of complete wavelengths per unit time, measured in Hertz (Hz). Frequency and energy are directly proportional (higher frequency = higher energy).
Wave Energy
- Photon energy is inversely proportional to its wavelength.
- Longer wavelengths correspond to lower energy photons.
- Shorter wavelengths correspond to higher energy photons.
- Energy (E) is related to frequency (f) by the equation E = hf, where h is Planck's constant.
- Energy and frequency are directly proportional (higher frequency = higher energy).
Wavelength, Frequency, and Velocity
- Wavelength equals the velocity of a wave divided by its frequency.
- Wavelength and frequency are inversely proportional.
- As wavelength increases, frequency decreases, and vice-versa.
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Description
Explore the fascinating world of periodic motion and waves in this quiz. Understand the characteristics of mechanical and electromagnetic waves, and learn how to measure and describe wave properties. Test your knowledge on transverse, longitudinal, and surface waves.
