Physics: Waves and Sound Vocab 🌊🔦

Honors Physics Mechanical waves

Wavelength

The distance measured between crests of a wave

Frequency

the rate at which waves occur

Mechanical

This type of wave requires matter through which to travel

Period

The time it takes for one wavelength to pass any given reference point

Amplitude

The max distance away from the equilibrium a wave crest or trough is

Surface

A wave type in which the matter moves in a circular path

Electro-magnetic

this type of wave needs no matter through which to travel

Wave pulse

a single amplitude of energy, one occurrence (no frequency)

reflection

when a wave bounces off a boundary layer

Diffraction

when a wave bends around a boundary layer

longitudinal

a wave type in which the matter moves parallel to the direction in which the wave is traveling

periodic wave

a series of wave pulses happening at some frequency

transverse

a wave type in which the matter moves perpendicular to the direction in which the wave is traveling

refraction

when a wave bends as it travels through different media

Superposition (resulting in interference)

when 2 or more waves occupy the same space

wave

a disturbance that carries energy through matter or space

surface waves

both transverse and longitudinal waves mixed in one medium

Solid

What medium that a wave can pass through is the most elastic (fastest)?

Gas

What medium that a wave can pass through is the least elastic (slowest)?

constructive interference

when the amplitudes of two waves are in the same direction, and they create a wave that is larger than the initial waves

destructive inteference

when the amplitudes of the initial waves are opposite (positive vs. negative), creating a smaller resulting wave

antinode

the highest point of constructive interference

node

the middle of destructive interference that never moves

343m/s

speed of sound at 20 degrees C

direct

relationship between speed of sound and temperature

L=1/2λ

1st fundamental frequency (open pipe)

L=1/4λ

first fundamental frequency (closed pipe)

Doppler Effect

a phenomenon that changes the frequency of sound or light waves depending on the motion of the source and the observer.

redshift

As objects move away from us, their light gets shifted into longer wavelengths or the red end of the spectrum

blueshift

when light is shifted to shorter wavelengths on the blue side of the spectrum as an object comes towards us.