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Questions and Answers
What is a mechanical wave?
What is a mechanical wave?
What defines a transverse wave's movement?
What defines a transverse wave's movement?
Which of the following is NOT an example of electromagnetic radiation?
Which of the following is NOT an example of electromagnetic radiation?
What is the correct definition of rarefaction in a longitudinal wave?
What is the correct definition of rarefaction in a longitudinal wave?
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Which type of wave combines characteristics of both transverse and longitudinal waves?
Which type of wave combines characteristics of both transverse and longitudinal waves?
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What part of a transverse wave represents the lowest point?
What part of a transverse wave represents the lowest point?
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Which statement is true about waves?
Which statement is true about waves?
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In which medium would sound waves travel the fastest?
In which medium would sound waves travel the fastest?
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What happens to the energy of a wave if its amplitude is doubled?
What happens to the energy of a wave if its amplitude is doubled?
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Which property of a wave is measured in hertz (Hz)?
Which property of a wave is measured in hertz (Hz)?
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How is the speed of a wave calculated?
How is the speed of a wave calculated?
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In which scenario would sound travel fastest?
In which scenario would sound travel fastest?
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What describes the distance a wave travels before it begins to repeat?
What describes the distance a wave travels before it begins to repeat?
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Which wave characteristic is affected by the energy input of the original source of vibration?
Which wave characteristic is affected by the energy input of the original source of vibration?
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If a wave has a frequency of 3 Hz, how many complete waves pass a point in one second?
If a wave has a frequency of 3 Hz, how many complete waves pass a point in one second?
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What demonstrates the periodic nature of waves?
What demonstrates the periodic nature of waves?
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Study Notes
Wave Properties
- Waves transfer energy from one place to another
- A medium is the material a wave travels through
- A vacuum is a completely empty space
- Mechanical waves require a medium to travel, sound waves are an example
- Electromagnetic radiation does NOT require a medium to travel, visible light, radio waves, X-rays, and microwaves are examples
Types of Waves
- Mechanical waves are classified based on how they move
- Two main types: transverse and longitudinal
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Transverse wave:
- Travels perpendicular (at a 90-degree angle) to the source's motion
- Example: moving a rope up and down
- Crest: the highest part of the wave
- Trough: the lowest part of the wave
-
Longitudinal wave:
- Travels parallel to the direction of the vibrations
- Compression: parts where the coils are close together
- Rarefaction: parts where the coils are spread out
-
Surface wave:
- A combination of transverse and longitudinal waves
- Moves in two directions (circular motion)
- Example: ocean waves
Properties of Waves
- Waves can carry a small or large amount of energy
- Basic properties: amplitude, wavelength, frequency, and speed
- Amplitude: the distance between the highest crest and the resting position. More energy = greater amplitude
- Wavelength: the distance a wave travels before repeating (crest to crest, or trough to trough)
- Frequency: the number of times a wave repeats in a given amount of time, measured in Hertz (Hz). One wave per second = 1 Hz
- Speed: the distance a wave travels in a certain amount of time; different waves have different speeds. Light travels much faster than sound in air. Light travels faster in water than in glass
Wave Energy
- Waves transmit energy from place to place; energy input depends on the source of vibration.
- Faster vibrations transmit more energy; larger amplitude vibrations transmit more energy
- Wave energy is proportional to frequency and the square of the amplitude.
Lesson Check
- If the amplitude of a wave increases, the energy increases proportionally to the square of the increase in amplitude.
- A jackhammer produces mechanical waves.
- A cyclic and periodic wave repeats in a predictable pattern.
- You measure a longitudinal wave's amplitude by measuring the distance between the resting position and the closest compression or rarefaction.
- If a musician increases the wavelength of a sound wave without changing the speed, the frequency decreases
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Description
Explore the fascinating world of waves with this quiz on wave properties and their types. Learn about mechanical waves, transverse and longitudinal waves, and the distinction between waves that require a medium and those that do not. Test your understanding of these essential concepts in physics!
