Lecture 20: Waves and Sound

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to the topics of waves and sound, as discussed in the lecture notes.

Intensity

The power emitted per unit area from a point source producing mechanical waves.

2D Waves

Waves that propagate outward in two dimensions, such as circular water waves.

3D Waves

Waves that propagate outward in three dimensions, such as sound waves.

Superposition Principle

The principle stating that when two or more waves overlap, the resulting displacement is the sum of the individual displacements.

Constructive Interference

When two waves arrive in phase and their amplitudes add, resulting in a larger total height.

Destructive Interference

When two waves arrive out of phase and their amplitudes subtract, resulting in a smaller total height.

Huygens' Principle

The concept that each point on a wavefront acts as a source of secondary wavelets.

Sound Intensity Level

A measure of sound intensity in decibels (dB), based on the logarithmic scale relative to a reference intensity.

Loudness

The perception of sound intensity, which depends on the amplitude of sound waves.

Standing Waves

A pattern of waves formed through self-interference of waves traveling back and forth on a medium.

Fundamental Frequency

The lowest frequency at which a system oscillates, corresponding to the first harmonic of a wave.

Antinode

A point of maximum amplitude in a standing wave pattern.

Harmonic

A component frequency of a wave that is an integer multiple of the fundamental frequency.