Physics: Waves and Oscillations
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary reason for the time gap between seeing the light and hearing the thunder from a lightning strike?

  • The speed of sound is slower than the speed of light
  • The speed of light and sound are equal
  • The speed of light is much faster than the speed of sound (correct)
  • The speed of light is slower than the speed of sound

What is the approximate speed of sound in air at 0°C?

  • 330 m s-1 (correct)
  • 200 m s-1
  • 400 m s-1
  • 500 m s-1

What is the primary characteristic of sound waves that allows us to distinguish between different sounds?

  • Sound characteristics (correct)
  • Speed
  • Amplitude
  • Frequency

What is the approximate speed of sound in water?

<p>1400 m s-1 (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the approximate speed of sound through a steel rod?

<p>5000 m s-1 (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of wave is characterized by its speed and frequency?

<p>Mechanical wave (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the direction of particle movement in transverse waves?

<p>Perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of wave propagates through solids, liquids, and gases?

<p>Longitudinal wave (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of wave propagates in the same direction as the particle motion?

<p>Longitudinal wave (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of a sinusoidal wave?

<p>Simple variation with time and distance (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the motion of a particle from time t0 to t4 in a wave?

<p>One oscillation (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic of sound depends on the frequency of the wave?

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

What is an example of a longitudinal wave?

<p>Sound wave (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the number of oscillations of a single particle in one second?

<p>Frequency (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the direction of particle movement in longitudinal waves?

<p>Parallel to the direction of wave propagation (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of wave requires a material medium for propagation?

<p>Sound wave (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for sounds with frequencies below 20 Hz?

<p>Infrasound (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What determines the quality of a sound?

<p>Shape of the wave form (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Sound Speed vs. Light Speed

The speed of light (3 x 10⁸ m/s) is significantly faster than the speed of sound (around 343 m/s). This difference is why we see lightning before we hear thunder.

Sound Speed in Air

The speed of sound in air at 0°C is approximately 330 meters per second (m/s). This means sound travels 330 meters every second.

Sound Characteristics

The unique properties of sound, like its pitch, loudness, and timbre, are determined by characteristics of the sound wave itself. These qualities help us distinguish between different sounds.

Sound Speed in Water

Sound travels faster in water than in air. The approximate speed of sound in water is 1400 meters per second (m/s).

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Sound Speed in Steel

Sound travels incredibly fast through solid materials like steel. The approximate speed of sound in steel is 5000 meters per second (m/s).

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Mechanical Wave

A wave that requires a medium (like air, water, or a solid) to travel. The wave's speed and frequency are key characteristics.

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Transverse Wave

A wave where the particle motion is perpendicular to the direction the wave is traveling. Think of a wave on a rope.

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Longitudinal Wave

A wave where the particle motion is parallel to the direction the wave is traveling. Think of a spring.

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Sinusoidal Wave

A wave with a smooth, repeating pattern shaped like a sine curve. It's a simple way to represent sound.

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Wave Oscillation

One complete cycle of a particle's motion in a wave, from its starting point to its highest point, back to its starting point, and down to its lowest point.

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Pitch

The perceived highness or lowness of a sound. Pitch is directly related to the frequency of the sound wave.

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Sound Wave

A type of longitudinal wave that travels through a medium (like air) and is responsible for what we hear.

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Frequency

The number of oscillations a particle in a wave completes in one second. Defines how many times a wave repeats per second.

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Infrasound

Sound with frequencies below 20 Hz, which are too low for humans to hear. This sound can be generated by things like earthquakes or some animals.

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Sound Quality

Determined by the shape of the sound wave, also called timbre. It's what makes a trumpet sound different from a violin, even if they play the same note.

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