Unit 8: Waves Objectives

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to waves, including wave types, properties, and behaviors.

Doppler Effect

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

Transverse Wave

A wave in which the medium moves at right angles (perpendicular) to the direction in which the wave travels (i.e., light, radio).

Longitudinal Wave

A wave in which the medium moves back and forth (parallel) to the direction in which the wave travels (i.e., sound).

Amplitude

Directly related to the energy being transferred by a wave.

Interference Patterns

Occur when waves from different sources arrive at the same point at the same time (Principle of Superposition).

Frequency

Directly related to pitch.

Amplitude

Directly related to loudness.

Resonance

Every object vibrates at its own set of natural frequencies.

Medium and Sound

Sound cannot travel through a vacuum; it requires a medium.

Electromagnetic Waves

Do not require a medium to travel through; can travel in a vacuum.

Reflection and Refraction

When a wave reaches a boundary between two media, part of the wave is reflected and part is refracted in the second media.

Frequency in New Medium

Frequency remains constant as a wave passes into a new medium (only speed and wavelength change).

Index of Refraction

The ratio of the speed of light in a vacuum to the speed of light in a medium.

Total Internal Reflection

An incident wave on a boundary is at an angle such that none of the wave can be refracted, so only reflection occurs.