General Properties of Waves VTA

Flashcards covering the vocabulary related to waves, including definitions and key concepts.

Wave

A disturbance that travels through a medium, transferring energy without transferring matter.

Wavelength (λ)

The distance between two corresponding points on consecutive waves.

Amplitude

The maximum displacement of a wave from its rest position.

Frequency (f)

The number of waves passing a point in one second, measured in hertz (Hz).

Wave speed (v)

The speed at which a wave travels through a medium, calculated using the equation v = f λ.

Transverse wave

A wave whose vibrations are perpendicular to the direction of propagation.

Longitudinal wave

A wave whose vibrations are parallel to the direction of propagation.

Compression

A region in a longitudinal wave where particles are close together.

Rarefaction

A region in a longitudinal wave where particles are spread apart.

Reflection

The bouncing back of a wave when it hits a barrier.

Refraction

The bending of a wave as it passes from one medium to another.

Diffraction

The spreading of waves when they pass through a narrow opening.

Electromagnetic waves

Waves that do not require a medium and can travel through a vacuum.

Mechanical waves

Waves that require a medium to propagate, such as sound and seismic waves.

Time period (T)

The time taken for one complete wave to pass a point, inversely related to frequency.

Seismic waves

Waves produced by earthquakes, divided into primary (P) and secondary (S) waves.

Crest

The highest point of a wave.

Trough

The lowest point of a wave.

Calculate Time

1/F

Calculaate Frequency

1/T