Unit 3 Exam Review - Waves and Sound

These flashcards cover key concepts related to waves, sound, and light, including definitions and important characteristics.

Wave

A moving disturbance that transfers energy through matter or space.

Crest

The highest point of a transverse wave.

Trough

The lowest point of a transverse wave.

Wavelength

The distance between one point on a wave and the exact same point on the next wave.

Amplitude

Maximum extent of vibration or the distance from the resting position of the medium to the crest or trough.

Mechanical Waves

Waves that require a medium to transfer energy, such as sound waves, water waves, and seismic waves.

Electromagnetic Waves

Waves that can transfer energy through a medium or through empty space, including radio waves, light waves, UV waves, and x-rays.

Medium

Something through which a wave travels (solid, liquid, or gas).

Transverse Waves

Waves where the particles move perpendicular to the direction of the wave.

Longitudinal Waves

Waves where particles move parallel to the direction of the wave.

Compressions

Squished up parts of a longitudinal wave.

Rarefactions

Spread out parts of a longitudinal wave.

Frequency

The number of waves produced in a given amount of time.

Pitch

The highest or lowest sound an object makes; objects that vibrate slowly make a low pitch while objects that vibrate quickly make a higher pitch.

Loudness (Volume)

The loudness or softness of a sound, measured in decibels.

Ultrasound

Sound waves with frequencies above the normal human range of hearing (20-100 kHz).

Infrasound

Sounds with frequencies below the normal human range of hearing (20-200 Hz).

Doppler Effect

Apparent change in the frequency of a sound caused by the motion of either the listener or the source of the sound.

Resonance

Frequency of sound waves that exactly matches the natural frequency of an object.

Opaque

Material that does not allow light to pass through; light is either absorbed or reflected.

Translucent

Material that allows some light to pass through but not clearly.

Transparent

Material that allows almost all light to pass through, enabling clear visibility.

Subtractive Color

Colorants and reflected light that subtract portions of white light shining on an object.

Additive Color

Light emitted directly from a source before an object reflects light.

Concave Lenses

Lenses that diverge light rays.

Convex Lenses

Lenses that converge light and can form images.

Law of Reflection

States that the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection.