Waves Overview Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What are waves?

A wave is a disturbance that moves from one place to another.

What causes a wave?

An oscillator moving back and forth or a single disturbance.

Describe the motion of a buoy in the presence of a traveling water wave.

The buoy moves approximately up and down while the wave moves forward.

What are the two basic types of waves studied?

Transverse and longitudinal waves. Signup and view all the answers

What are transverse waves?

Waves that occur when the wave travels perpendicular to the direction in which the particles oscillate. Signup and view all the answers

What are longitudinal waves?

Waves that occur when the wave travels parallel to the direction in which the particles oscillate. Signup and view all the answers

What are the variables used to describe a wave?

Wavelength, frequency, and amplitude. Signup and view all the answers

How do you measure the amplitude of a longitudinal wave?

Amplitude is related to the compression of the molecules, not distance. Signup and view all the answers

What are beats and how are they created?

Beats occur when two sound waves of slightly different frequencies interfere with each other. Signup and view all the answers

What is the shape of a sound wave?

A sound wave is three-dimensional and emitted in all directions. Signup and view all the answers

Why do water waves break near the beach?

Because the depth changes near the beach to become shallower. Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between wave speed, frequency, and wavelength?

Speed = frequency x wavelength. Signup and view all the answers

What is a sound wave?

A sound wave is a longitudinal wave in a solid, liquid, or gas. Signup and view all the answers

What is superposition of waves?

When two or more waves traveling through the same medium pass through each other without being disturbed. Signup and view all the answers

What is a standing wave?

Waves that do not appear to travel and seem to stand in place. Signup and view all the answers

How do you create standing waves on a string?

Vibrate the string at the right frequency to achieve resonance. Signup and view all the answers

How many wavelengths of a standing wave can fit on a string?

Only certain frequencies lead to standing waves, with the number of wavelengths dependent on the harmonic. Signup and view all the answers

How many wavelengths of a standing wave can fit in a tube of air with one end closed?

The tube can fit 1/4 of the longest wavelength for the first harmonic. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Doppler effect?

The change in frequency perceived by an observer moving relative to the sound source. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Overview of Waves

A wave is a disturbance that transmits energy and momentum through a medium without carrying matter forward.
Particles in matter oscillate while the wave travels onward.

Causes of Waves

Waves are generated by oscillators or single disturbances, like a vibrating tuning fork or a pebble thrown into water.

Buoy Motion in Water Waves

A buoy anchored underwater moves up and down as water waves pass but does not travel with the wave itself.
Water molecules also move in circular motions, not along with the wave.

Types of Waves

Two fundamental types of waves: Transverse and Longitudinal.

Transverse Waves

These waves oscillate perpendicular to their direction of travel.
Found in solids and liquids; light is an example, which can travel through a vacuum.

Longitudinal Waves

Oscillate parallel to their direction of travel and can occur in solids, liquids, and gases.
Known as pressure waves due to their compressive nature (e.g., sound waves).

Wave Variables

Wavelength: Distance between two consecutive peaks (transverse) or compressions (longitudinal).
Frequency: Number of peaks passing a fixed point per second; controlled by the oscillator's frequency.
Amplitude: For transverse waves, it’s the height from equilibrium to peak; for longitudinal waves, it’s related to molecular compression, not a distance measure.
Wave Speed Formula: Speed = frequency x wavelength; faster in denser materials.

Amplitude Measurement in Longitudinal Waves

Amplitude is tied to the level of molecular compression, not a distance metric like in transverse waves.

Beats Phenomenon

Created when two sound waves of slightly different frequencies interfere, resulting in fluctuations in sound intensity, characterized by beat frequency determined by the difference in source frequencies.

Sound Wave Characteristics

Sound waves are three-dimensional, radiating in all directions.

Wave Behavior Near Shore

Water waves break as they approach the shore due to decreasing depth, causing increased amplitude and decreased wavelength, ultimately leading to curling crests.

Sound Wave Definition

Sound waves are longitudinal waves traveling through solids, liquids, or gases, with speed varying based on material density.

Superposition of Waves

When multiple waves travel through the same medium, they overlap without disturbance, creating a resultant wave characterized by constructive (maximum) or destructive (minimum) interference.

Standing Waves

Appear stationary, often in strings and air columns; created by reflecting waves canceling or enhancing each other at nodes (no motion) and antinodes (maximum motion).

Wavelengths in Fixed-Ended String

Only harmonics that lead to standing waves persist; the first few harmonics relate to specific fractions of the wavelength.

Wavelengths in Closed-End Air Columns

A tube closed at one end supports odd harmonics, with different fractions of wavelengths fitting according to harmonic number.

Doppler Effect

Occurs due to relative motion between the sound source and observer, resulting in perceived frequency changes; a source moving away yields a lower pitch, while approaching yields a higher pitch.

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Description

This quiz covers the fundamental concepts of waves, including their definitions and behavior. Explore how waves carry energy and momentum while the particles oscillate. Ideal for students looking to reinforce their understanding of wave dynamics.