Untitled Flashcard Set

Wave

A disturbance that transfers energy from one point to another without the permanent transfer of matter.

Mechanical Waves

Waves that require a medium (solid, liquid, or gas) to travel, such as sound and water waves.

Electromagnetic Waves

Waves that can travel through a vacuum and do not require a medium, such as light and X-rays.

Transverse Waves

Waves where the displacement of the medium is perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer.

Longitudinal Waves

Waves where the displacement of the medium is parallel to the direction of energy transfer, consisting of compressions and rarefactions.

Wave Equation

The equation v = f \lambda used to calculate the speed of a wave, where v is speed, f is frequency, and \lambda is wavelength.

Refraction

The change in direction of a wave as it passes from one medium to another at an angle due to a change in speed.

Diffraction

The bending or spreading of waves as they pass around an edge or through a narrow opening.

Absorption

The process by which a medium takes up the energy of a wave, often transforming it into internal energy.

Focal Point (F)

The point at which light rays converge or where they appear to diverge after passing through a lens.

Convex Lenses

Thicker in the middle than at the edges, converging parallel light rays toward a focal point.

Concave Lenses

Thinner in the middle and thicker at the edges, causing light rays to diverge and appear from a focal point.

Nature of Sound

Sound is a longitudinal mechanical wave produced by vibrating objects.

Pitch

Directly related to the frequency of the vibration, higher frequency results in a higher pitch.

Loudness

Related to the amplitude of the wave; a larger amplitude carries more energy and is perceived as louder.

Propagation of Sound

Sound requires a medium to travel, traveling fastest in solids and slowest in gases.

Frequency (f)

The number of wave cycles that pass a point in one second, measured in Hertz (Hz).

Wavelength (λ)

The distance between successive crests or troughs in a wave.

Energy Transfer

The movement of energy from one location to another through waves.

Medium

The substance through which a wave can travel, such as air, water, or solid materials.

Compressions

Regions in a longitudinal wave where the medium's particles are closest together.

Rarefactions

Regions in a longitudinal wave where the medium's particles are spread apart.

Amplitude

The maximum displacement of points in a wave from its rest position, related to the wave's energy.