Introduction to Waves Flashcards

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers the fundamental definitions, classifications, and physical characteristics of waves as presented in the PHY 2 Physics 2 lecture notes.

Wave

A disturbance, carrying with it energy, as it travels from one point in space to another.

Pulse

A single disturbance created by a single action, such as a hand pulling one end of a cord upwards.

Periodic wave

Also known as a continuous wave; a wave created by oscillating pulses resulting from a continuous series of actions.

Mechanical waves

Waves that require a medium (matter such as solid, liquid, or gas) to propagate, such as sound waves or earthquake waves.

Electromagnetic waves

Waves that do not require a medium and can propagate in free space or vacuum.

Transverse waves

Waves in which the disturbance is perpendicular to the direction of travel of the wave.

Longitudinal waves

Also called compressional waves; waves in which the disturbance is parallel to the direction of travel of the wave.

Surface wave

A characterization of water waves where particle motion includes both transverse and longitudinal components, moving on nearly circular paths.

Crests

The highest points in a transverse wave.

Troughs

The lowest points in a transverse wave.

Compressions

Also known as condensations; the parts of a longitudinal wave where the particles of the medium are closest together.

Rarefactions

Also known as expansions; the parts of a longitudinal wave where the particles of the medium are farthest apart.

Amplitude ($A$)

The maximum height of the crest or depth of a trough relative to the normal (equilibrium) level, measured in meters ($m$).

Wavelength ($\lambda$)

The distance between two consecutive crests or distance between two consecutive identical points on the wave, measured in meters ($m$).

Period ($T$)

The time elapsed between two consecutive crests passing by the same point, or the time it takes for one complete cycle of the wave, measured in seconds ($s$).

Frequency ($f$)

The number of crests that pass a given point per unit time or the number of cycles per unit time, measured in Hertz ($Hz$) or $s^{-1}$.

Period and Frequency Relationship

The mathematical relationship defined by the equation $f = \frac{1}{T}$.