physics

Mechanical Wave

A wave that

travels through a deformable, elastic

medium

Medium

The material which a wave

passes through.

Transverse Wave

The particles

move perpendicular to the wave’s

motion.

Longitudinal Wave

The particles

move parallel to the wave’s motion

Compression

region of a longitudinal

wave where density and pressure are

greater than normal

Rarefaction

region where they are less

than normal

Reflection –

When a wave bounces off

a different medium (incidence –

reflection)

Absorption

When some of the wave

energy is dissipated in deforming a

new medium

Transmitted

Waves pass from one

medium to another. Frequency

remains constant. (larger density =

more speed = higher wavelength

Fixed Boundary

A wave pulse reflects

with the same amplitude on the

opposite side of the rest position.

Free Boundary

A wave pulse reflects

with the same amplitude on the same

side of rest position

Superposition

Waves above or

below the rest position will add

together when occupying the same

space

Constructive interference

waves add

together to make a larger wave

Destructive interference

waves

subtract from each other to make a

smaller wave. (Complete Destructive:

Waves cancel out completely.

Frequency (f )

The number of cycles

or vibrations per unit of time.

(Vibrations per second

Period (T)

The time it takes to

execute one complete cycle of motion.

Amplitude

The maximum

displacement from equilibrium

Standing wave –

A pattern that results

when two waves of the same

frequency, wavelength, and amplitude

travel in opposite directions and

interfere

Node

stationary point in a standing

wave. (Destructive Interference

Antinodes

point between two nodes

where largest amplitude occurs.

(Constructive Interference

Natural Frequency

The frequency an

object will vibrate at due to its mass,

shape, and elasticity. (Or length for a

pendulum.

Resonance

The effect of the vibration

of one object causing another object

with the same natural frequency to

vibrate

Outer Ear

Reflects sound waves down

the ear canal.

Middle Ear

Amplifies sound. (Hammer,

Anvil, Stirrup) The three smallest bones

in the body

Inner Ear

Translates sound to the

brain. (Cochlea)

Infrasonic –

Sound waves with

frequencies below 20 Hz.

What is doppler affect

A frequency shift that is the result of relative motion

between the source of waves and an observer.

What does the doppler effect do

If the source and observer move toward each other, the

frequency observed increases. If they move away from

each other frequency observed decreas

Ultrasonic –

Sound waves with

frequencies above 20,000 Hz

Basic Intensity –

frequency and

amplitude (volume), depends on a

logarithmic function on human hearing.

Photon

A packet or “particle” of light

what is the energy and color of a photon based on

Frequency