Waves and Sound Properties

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers the fundamental concepts of waves, specifically mechanical and electromagnetic types, and the characteristics and speed calculations of sound waves.

Wave

Any form of disturbance that carries energy from one place and another.

Mechanical wave

A wave that is an oscillation of matter and is responsible for the transfer of energy through a medium, such as sound, seismic, or spring waves.

Electromagnetic wave

A wave created as a result of vibrations between an electric field and a magnetic field that does not require any medium for it to be transmitted.

Sound

A wave produced by vibrations or vibrating objects that is a kind of mechanical wave requiring a medium for transmission.

Longitudinal wave

A type of wave, such as sound, characterized by areas of compression and rarefaction.

Compression

A part of the wave where molecules are compressed or having a shorter wavelength.

Rarefaction

A part of the wave where the molecules are spread out or stretched.

Wavelength

The distance measured from an area of compression or rarefaction to the next compression or rarefaction.

Frequency

The number of vibrations that an individual particle makes per unit of time.

Speed of sound wave formula

$v = f \times \text{λ}$ where $v$ is speed, $f$ is frequency, and $\text{λ}$ is wavelength.

Kinetic Energy and Temperature

The principle stating that the higher the temperature, the higher the kinetic energy, which makes sound transmission faster.

Speed of Sound in air at $0^∘\text{C}$

$$331\text{ m/s}$$

Temperature-dependent Speed of Sound Formula

$$v = 331\text{ m/s} + 0.6\text{ m/s}∙^∘\text{C}(T)$$