Mechanical Waves

This set of flashcards covers key concepts related to mechanical waves, including their definitions, characteristics, types, and equations.

What is a wave?

A vibratory disturbance transmitted through a material or space, transferring energy but not mass.

What is the difference between a pulse and a periodic wave?

A pulse is one vibration sent down the wave, while a periodic wave consists of a series of evenly timed pulses.

What are the two types of waves?

Electromagnetic waves, which do not require a medium, and mechanical waves, which require a medium to travel through.

What is a transverse wave?

A wave where particles in a medium vibrate perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation.

What is a longitudinal wave?

A wave where particles in a medium vibrate parallel to the direction of wave propagation.

What is amplitude?

The maximum distance between equilibrium and crest or trough, indicating the energy carried by the wave.

What is frequency?

The number of waves or cycles that occur in one second.

What is wavelength?

The length of a wave between two consecutive points that are in the same position on a wave (in phase).

What is the equation for wave velocity?

Velocity (v) = frequency (f) x wavelength (λ).

What happens at a fixed boundary when a wave encounters it?

The wave reflects back on the opposite side it came from.

What is 'in phase'?

Two points at equal displacements from their rest positions moving in the same direction.

What is '180° out of phase'?

Two points that are at equal displacements but moving in opposite directions.

What determines the color of a light wave?

The frequency of the wave.

What is the speed of light in a vacuum?

Approximately 3 x 10^8 m/s.

What is a crest in a wave?

The highest point of a transverse wave.

What is a trough in a wave?

The lowest point of a transverse wave.

What is compression in a longitudinal wave?

The region where particles are close together.

What is rarefaction in a longitudinal wave?

The region where particles are spread apart.

How is wave energy related to amplitude?

Higher amplitude means more energy in the wave.

What is the relationship between frequency and period?

They are inversely proportional; period = 1/frequency.