Physics Class: Wave Motion and Sound
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Questions and Answers

What is the term for the point in a standing wave that exhibits the greatest amplitude?

  • Node
  • Wavelength
  • Frequency
  • Antinode (correct)

    • What phenomenon causes the periodic rise and fall in volume when two guitar strings are tuned to slightly different frequencies and plucked simultaneously?

  • Harmonics
  • Beats (correct)
  • Timbre
  • Resonance

    • What range of sound wave frequencies can most humans typically perceive?

  • 10 Hz to 100,000 Hz
  • 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz (correct)
  • 30 Hz to 30,000 Hz
  • 1 Hz to 10,000 Hz

    • In what units is the intensity level of sound waves measured?

    <p>Decibels (dB) (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What term describes the aspect of sound that depends on the specific harmonics that are present?

    <p>Quality (Timbre) (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of sound waves at approximately 120 dB on the typical human ear?

    <p>Threshold of pain (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between a fundamental wave and a harmonic wave in the context of sound?

    <p>Harmonic wave is a multiple of the fundamental wave. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Sound waves are best described as...

    <p>Longitudinal compression waves traveling through an elastic medium (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What determines the maximum amplitude in a compression wave?

    <p>Region of maximum molecular density (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why can't sound waves travel through a vacuum?

    <p>They require the mechanical action of molecules to transfer energy. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a key difference between light waves and sound waves?

    <p>Light waves can travel through a vacuum, while sound waves cannot. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between frequency (f) and period (T) of a wave?

    <p>f = 1/T (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to a wave when it undergoes refraction?

    <p>It bends due to a change in speed. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What causes diffraction?

    <p>The wave encountering an edge or an obstacle (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When two identical sine waves are overlaid, exactly half a phase out of synchronisation, what is the result?

    <p>The waves cancel each other out. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Under what condition are standing waves typically formed?

    <p>When a wave interferes with its own reflection while confined. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Wave Motion

    Energy transfer through a periodic disturbance in an elastic medium.

    Compression

    Region of maximum density in a sound wave.

    Rarefaction

    Region of minimum density in a sound wave.

    Sound Waves

    Mechanical waves that transfer energy through molecular action.

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    Electromagnetic Waves

    Waves that can travel through a vacuum and are detectable by the human eye.

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    Amplitude

    Maximum displacement of a wave, distance between crests and troughs.

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    Frequency

    Number of wavelengths occurring in one second.

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    Standing Waves

    Waves formed by the interference of a wave with its own reflection.

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    Resultant Wave

    The combined effect of two individual waves added together.

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    Node

    Point in a standing wave with no amplitude.

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    Antinode

    Point in a standing wave with maximum amplitude.

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    Beat Frequency

    The frequency of volume rise and fall from two similar vibrating strings.

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    Intensity Level (IL)

    The relative measure of sound intensity, expressed in decibels.

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    Threshold of Pain

    Sound intensity level (120 dB) that causes pain in the ear.

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    Quality (Timbre)

    The characteristic sound of an instrument determined by its harmonics.

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    Study Notes

    Wave Motion and Sound

    • Energy transfer through periodic disturbances in elastic mediums is wave motion
    • Maximum density region is compression; minimum density is rarefaction
    • Compression and longitudinal waves are a set of pulses in a medium
    • Sound waves are compression waves using mechanical molecular action
    • Sound waves cannot travel through vacuum
    • Light waves are electromagnetic radiation, detectable by the human eye
    • Light waves are not mechanical waves, but can travel through a vacuum.

    Properties of Waves

    • All waves have amplitude, wavelength, frequency, and period
    • Amplitude is the distance between crest and trough (maximum and minimum displacement)
    • Wavelength (λ) is the distance between two consecutive crests or troughs

    Reflection and Refraction

    • Wave systems change direction when speed changes (refraction)
    • Energy is reflected when encountering solid barriers

    Diffraction

    • Waves "bend" around obstacles, creating new wave systems if the obstacle has an edge.
    • Explains how sound can be heard around corners
    • Light wave diffraction is proven by experiments.

    Interference Phenomena (Superposition)

    • Effects of waves are added algebraically when they converge.
    • Two identical sine waves produce a wave of the same frequency but double the amplitude
    • Two sine waves with half a phase difference cancel each other out.

    Standing Waves

    • Formed when a wave interferes with its own reflection.
    • Occurs in mediums secured at both ends (e.g., guitar strings or structural members)
    • Result from the superposition of two waves
    • Points with zero amplitude are nodes; points of maximum amplitude are antinodes.

    Resonance and Beats

    • Resonance creates standing waves in structures.
    • Fatigue can occur at antinodes
    • Beats occur when two strings vibrate at slightly different frequencies producing a rising and falling sound intensity
    • The frequency of this rising and falling is the beat frequency.

    Sound

    • Sound waves are pressure waves interpreted by our brains
    • Human hearing range is between 20 Hz and 20,000 Hz
    • Sound intensity is related to amplitude and measured in Watts per meter squared (more conveniently measured in decibels)
    • The threshold of pain is 120 decibels.

    Intensity of Sound

    • Sound intensity is determined by wave amplitude.
    • Measured in Watts per meter squared but more conveniently measured in decibels
    • Decibel scale measures sound intensity relative to a reference level.

    Quality (Timbre) of Sound

    • Quality depends on the harmonics of the sound wave
    • Harmonics are integer multiples of the fundamental frequency.

    Speed of Sound

    • Sound is a longitudinal wave, travelling through elastic mediums (like air).

    Doppler Effect

    • Sound waves from a moving source have a higher frequency in front of the source, and a lower frequency behind the source.
    • This change in frequency is the Doppler effect.
    • Example: Sirens, motorbikes, and aircraft. Pitch increases as they approach.

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    Related Documents

    Wave Motion and Sound PDF

    Description

    Test your knowledge on wave motion and sound in this quiz. Explore properties such as amplitude, wavelength, and the effects of reflection, refraction, and diffraction. Perfect for reinforcing concepts from your physics class.

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