Waves and Sound Concepts

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts on Waves and Sound, based on the lecture notes.

Vibration

A wiggle in time.

Wave

A wiggle in space and time that transports energy.

Crest

The high points of a wave.

Trough

The low points of a wave.

Amplitude

The distance from the midpoint to crest or trough of a wave.

Wavelength

The distance from the top of one crest to the top of the next crest.

Frequency

The number of to-and-fro vibrations in a given time unit.

Hertz

The unit of frequency, equivalent to one vibration per second.

Period

The time it takes for a complete vibration.

Wave Speed

Describes how fast a disturbance moves through a medium.

Longitudinal Wave

Waves where the medium vibrates parallel to the direction of wave travel.

Transverse Wave

Waves where the medium vibrates perpendicular to the direction of wave travel.

Sound

Travels in longitudinal waves with compressions and rarefactions.

Speed of Sound

340 meters/second in air at 20°C.

Reflection

The process in which sound encountering a surface is returned.

Echo

The phenomenon of sound reflecting off surfaces.

Refraction

The bending of a wave due to a change in the medium and/or speed of the wave.

Forced Vibration

Setting up of vibrations in an object by a vibrating force.

Natural Frequency

The unique frequency at which an object vibrates.

Resonance

Occurs when successive impulses are applied to a vibrating object in rhythm with its natural frequency.

Interference

The combined effect of two or more overlapping waves.

Constructive Interference

When the crest of one wave overlaps the crest of another, resulting in increased amplitude.

Destructive Interference

When the crest of one wave overlaps the trough of another, resulting in reduced effects.

Doppler Effect

The change in frequency as measured by an observer due to the motion of the source or listener.

Sonic Boom

A shock wave pattern created by objects traveling faster than the speed of sound.

Musical Sound

Sound characterized by a frequency, wavelength, and speed, producing a repeatable pattern.

Standing Wave

A wave that remains in a constant position and can occur in music instruments.