Vibrations and Waves

These flashcards cover key concepts related to vibrations and waves, including definitions, types of waves, and special phenomena like the Doppler Effect.

What is the definition of vibrations in the context of waves?

A wiggle in time.

What is the definition of waves?

A wiggle in space and time.

What happens to a pendulum each time it comes back?

It loses energy.

What factors affect the period of a pendulum?

The length of the pendulum and gravity.

What is the period of a pendulum?

The time it takes to complete one full swing.

What is simple harmonic motion?

A type of oscillation.

What shape describes a sine curve?

A shape that goes up and down in waves.

What is the crest of a wave?

The high point of a wave.

What is the trough of a wave?

The low point of a wave.

How is amplitude defined?

The height of the crest of a wave.

What is wavelength?

The distance between two successive points on a wave that are the same.

How is frequency defined?

How often a vibration occurs, measured in hertz (Hz).

What does wave speed equal?

Wavelength multiplied by frequency.

What are the two main types of waves?

Transverse and longitudinal.

What distinguishes transverse waves?

They look like traditional waves, such as those created by a jump rope.

What defines longitudinal waves?

They create compression and rarefaction, similar to how a slinky operates.

What is interference in wave motion?

The interaction of more than one wave.

What is constructive interference?

The combining of waves to create a larger wave.

What is destructive interference?

The cancellation of waves.

What are standing waves?

Waves that appear stationary.

What is a node in standing waves?

The part that doesn’t move.

What are antinodes?

The points where the wave is moving the most.

What is the Doppler Effect?

The change in sound frequency as a source of sound moves toward or away from an observer.

What are examples of the Doppler Effect?

the way cars sound, fire engine, ambulance and other moving sound sources.

What is blue shift?

The phenomenon where light or sound waves increase in frequency as they approach the observer.

What is red shift?

The decrease in frequency of light or sound waves as they move away from the observer.

What are shock waves?

Waves produced by objects moving through air at supersonic speeds.

What is a sonic boom?

The explosive sound created when an object exceeds the speed of sound.