Waves Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is a wave?

A repeating movement or disturbance that transfers energy through matter or space.

Which of the following statements about wave energy is true?

Waves move matter from place to place.

All waves are produced by vibrations. (correct)

Waves do not carry energy.

Waves cannot travel without a medium.

What is a medium in the context of waves?

Matter through which a wave travels.

Describe a transverse wave.

Matter moves back and forth at right angles to the direction that the wave travels. Signup and view all the answers

What defines a compressional or longitudinal wave?

Matter in the medium moves in the same direction that the wave travels. Signup and view all the answers

What are the parts of a transverse wave?

Crests and troughs. Signup and view all the answers

What are the parts of a compressional wave?

Compressions and rarefactions. Signup and view all the answers

What is amplitude in the context of waves?

A measure of energy in a wave. Signup and view all the answers

How is the amplitude of a transverse wave measured?

The distance from crest or trough to the normal position. Signup and view all the answers

How is the amplitude of a compressional wave determined?

The denser the compression, the larger the amplitude. Signup and view all the answers

What is wavelength?

Distance between one point on a wave and the similar point nearest to it. Signup and view all the answers

What does frequency indicate in the context of waves?

Number of wavelengths that pass a fixed point each second. Signup and view all the answers

How do you calculate wave speed?

Wave speed (m/s) = frequency (Hz) x wavelength (m). Signup and view all the answers

What are sound waves classified as?

Compressional or longitudinal waves. Signup and view all the answers

What is resonance?

The ability of an object to vibrate by absorbing energy at its natural frequency. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Doppler effect?

Apparent change in frequency of waves due to relative motion. Signup and view all the answers

What does the speed of sound depend on?

Temperature and state of the medium the wave is traveling through. Signup and view all the answers

What is the electromagnetic spectrum?

Electromagnetic waves carry transverse vibrations in electrical and magnetic fields. Signup and view all the answers

What are radio waves?

Low frequency waves with a long wavelength. Signup and view all the answers

How do microwaves differ from radio waves?

Microwaves have slightly higher energy than radio waves with higher frequency and shorter wavelengths. Signup and view all the answers

What are infrared waves used for?

Remote control, warmth of fire, and satellites. Signup and view all the answers

What is visible light?

The range of electromagnetic waves that can be detected by the human eye. Signup and view all the answers

What are ultraviolet light frequencies responsible for?

Sunburns, Vitamin D production, and fluorescent materials. Signup and view all the answers

What are X-rays?

Ultra-high frequencies that can travel through matter and damage cells. Signup and view all the answers

What are gamma rays?

Penetrating electromagnetic radiation arising from radioactive decay. Signup and view all the answers

What is the law of reflection?

The angle of incidence of a wave is always equal to the angle of reflection. Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during reflection of waves?

A wave strikes an object and bounces off of it. Signup and view all the answers

What is refraction?

The bending of a wave caused by a change in its speed as it moves from one medium to another. Signup and view all the answers

What is diffraction?

When a solid object causes a wave to change direction and bend toward it. Signup and view all the answers

What is interference in the context of waves?

When two or more waves overlap and combine to form a new wave. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Waves

Defined as repeating movements or disturbances that transfer energy through matter or space.

Wave Energy

Waves carry energy, not matter, as molecules pass energy to their neighbors.
All waves are produced by vibrations and will continue to travel as long as energy is present.

Medium

The matter through which waves travel; can be solid, liquid, gas, or plasma.

Types of Waves

Transverse Waves: Matter moves at right angles to wave direction; can travel through space (e.g., light waves).
Compressional (Longitudinal) Waves: Matter moves in the same direction as the wave; require a medium (e.g., sound waves).

Parts of a Wave

Transverse Waves: Characterized by crests (highest points) and troughs (lowest points).
Compressional Waves: Feature compressions (dense regions) and rarefactions (less dense regions).

Amplitude

Represents the energy of a wave; greater amplitude indicates more energy.
For transverse waves, amplitude is the distance from crest or trough to normal position.
In compressional waves, amplitude is larger with denser compressions.

Wavelength and Frequency

Wavelength: Distance between similar points on a wave; decreases as frequency increases.
Frequency: Number of wavelengths passing a fixed point per second, measured in hertz (Hz).

Wave Speed Calculation

Formula: Wave speed (m/s) = frequency (Hz) x wavelength (m).

Sound Waves

Classified as compressional or longitudinal waves; they need a medium to travel.

Resonance

The ability of an object to vibrate by absorbing energy at its natural frequency.

Doppler Effect

The apparent change in frequency due to relative motion between the wave source and observer.

Speed of Sound

Varies with temperature and medium; faster in liquids and solids than in gases, and increases with temperature.

Electromagnetic Spectrum

Consists of waves carrying transverse vibrations in electric and magnetic fields, able to travel through a vacuum.

Types of Electromagnetic Waves

Radio Waves: Low frequency and long wavelength, used in radio stations and radar.
Microwaves: Higher frequency than radio waves, used in cooking and communication.
Infrared Waves: Slightly higher frequency than microwaves; associated with heat and remote controls.
Visible Light: Electromagnetic waves detectable by the human eye (ROYGBIV).
Ultraviolet Light (UV): Slightly higher frequencies than visible light; can cause sunburns and produce Vitamin D.
X-rays: Ultra-high frequencies; can penetrate matter and are used in medical imaging.
Gamma Rays: Highly penetrating radiation produced during radioactive decay.

Reflection

Occurs when waves strike an object and bounce off, obeying the law of reflection (angle of incidence equals angle of reflection).

Refraction

The bending of waves when moving between different media, influenced by changes in speed.

Diffraction

The bending of waves around obstacles or through openings.

Interference

The phenomenon when two or more waves overlap, creating a new wave; can be constructive (waves add) or destructive (waves subtract).

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Description

Explore the fundamental concepts of waves with these flashcards. Learn about the definitions and properties of waves, including how they transfer energy and the role of vibrations. Perfect for students looking to deepen their understanding of wave mechanics.