Waves Flashcards

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).

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.