Waves Review

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to the study of waves, including definitions of important terms and principles.

Period (T)

The time taken for one complete cycle of a wave.

Amplitude

The maximum extent of a vibration or oscillation, measured from the position of equilibrium.

Wavelength (λ)

The distance between successive crests or troughs of a wave.

Kinetic Energy (KE)

The energy that an object possesses due to its motion.

Potential Energy (PE)

The energy stored in an object as a result of its position or configuration.

Damping

The process by which the amplitude of an oscillating system decreases over time.

Constructive interference

The phenomenon that occurs when two waves meet in phase, resulting in a wave of greater amplitude.

Destructive interference

The phenomenon that occurs when two waves meet out of phase, resulting in a wave of lesser amplitude.

Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM)

A type of periodic motion in which an object moves back and forth around an equilibrium position.

Hooke's Law

The principle stating that the force exerted by a spring is directly proportional to the distance it is stretched.

Frequency (f)

The number of cycles of a wave that pass a point in a given period of time.

Wave Speed (v)

The speed at which a wave travels through a medium, calculated as the product of frequency and wavelength.

Restoring Force

The force that brings a system back to its equilibrium position.