physics exam 5

Volts

Electric potential, the electric potential per unit of charge, measured in volts

Partial tone

Single frequency component sound wave of a complex tone

Series circuit

An electric circuit in which electrical devices are connected along a single wire such that the same electric current exists in all of them

Period

The time in which a vibration is completed. The period of a wave equals the period of the source and is equal to 1/frequency

Ultrasonic

Describes a sound that has a frequency too high to be heard by the normal human ear

Electric power

The rate of energy transfer, or the rate of doing work; the amount of energy per unit time, which electrically can be measured by the product of current and voltage

Hertz

The SI unit of frequency; equals one vibration per second

Wave interference

Phenomenon that occurs when two waves meet while traveling along the same medium

Charging by contact

Transfer of electric charge between objects by rubbing or simple touching

Pitch

The highness or lowness of a tone, as on a musical scale, which is principally governed by frequency

Infrasonic

Describes a sound that has a frequency too low to be heard by the normal human ear

Doppler effect

The shift in received frequency due to motion of a vibrating source toward or away from a receiver

Electric field

Defined as electric force per unit charge, it can be considered to be an “aura” surrounding charged objects and is a storehouse of electric energy

Reverberations

Persistence of sound, as in an echo, due to multiple reflections

Constructive interference

Results from crest to crest reinforcement

Forced vibrations

The setting up of vibrations in an object by a vibrating force

Coulomb’s law

The relationship between electrical force, charge, and distance

Longitudinal wave

A wave in which the medium vibrates in a direction parallel to the direction in which the wave travels. Sound waves are this type

Beats

A series of alternate reinforcements and cancellations produced by the interference of two waves of slightly different frequencies, heard as a throbbing effect in sound waves

Wavelength

The distance between successive crests, troughs, or identical parts of the wave

Wave speed

Frequency x wavelength

Quality

The characteristic timbre of a musical sound, which is governed by the number and relative intensities of partial tones

Insulator

A material without free charged particles and through which charge does not easily flow

Interference pattern

The pattern formed by SUPER POSITION of different sets of waves that produces reinforcement in some places and cancellation in others

Standing wave

A stationary wave pattern formed in a medium when two sets of identical waves pass through the medium in opposite directions

Sonic boom

The loud sound resulting from the incidence of a shock wave

Compression

Condensed region of the medium through which a longitudinal wave travels

Frequency

For a vibrating body or medium, the number of vibrations per unit time. For a wave, the number of crests that pass a particular point per unit time

Magnetic field

The region of magnetic influence around a magnetic POLE or a moving charged particle

Shock wave

The cone shaped disturbance created by an object moving at supersonic speed through a fluid

Refraction

Bending of sound or any wave caused by a difference in wave speeds

Interference

A result of supervising different waves, often of the same wavelength

Coulomb

The SI unit of electrical charge

Electrically polarized

Term applied to an atom or molecule in which the charges are aligned so that one side has a slight excess of positive charge and the other side a slight excess of negative charge

Natural frequency

A frequency at which an elastic object tends to vibrate if it is disturbed and the disturbing force is removed

Charging by induction

Redistribution of electric charges in and on objects caused by the electrical influence of a charged object close by but not in contact

Bow wave

The V shaped disturbance created by an object moving across a liquid surface at a speed greater than the wave speed

Transverse wave

A wave in which the medium vibrates in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the wave travels. Light waves are this type

Electric shock

An electric current of 0.0001 A can be felt, 0.0005 A is painful, 0.01 A causes involuntary muscle contractions, 0.015 A causes loss of muscle control, 0.07 A through the heart is probably FATAL if the current lasts more than one second

Cosmic rays

Various high speed particles that travel throughout the universe

Ohm’s law

The statement that the current in a circuit varies in direct proportion to the potential difference or voltage across the circuit and inversely with the circuit’s resistance