Physical Science (Quiz)

Wave - A wave is a disturbance that transfers energy through a medium or space.
    Medium - A medium is the substance or material through which a wave travels. It can be solid, liquid, gas, etc.
    Mechanical Wave - A mechanical wave is a wave that requires a medium to travel. Examples include sound waves and water waves.
    Electromagnetic Wave - An electromagnetic wave is a wave that does not require a medium to travel. Examples include light waves and radio waves.
    Transverse Waves - Transverse waves are waves in which the particles of the medium vibrate perpendicular to the direction that the wave is traveling in.
        Crest - The crest is the highest point of a transverse wave.
        Trough - The trough is the lowest point of a transverse wave.
        Amplitude - The amplitude of a wave is the maximum displacement of particles from their equilibrium position. It represents the intensity or strength of the wave.
    Compressional/Longitudinal Waves - Compressional or longitudinal waves are waves in which the particles of the medium vibrate in the same direction that the wave is moving. Examples include sound waves.
        Compressions - Compressions are regions of a compressional wave where particles are close together.
        Rarefactions - Rarefactions are regions of a compressional wave where particles are spread apart.
    Wave Velocity Equation - The wave velocity equation relates the speed of a wave (v), its frequency (f), and its wavelength (λ). It is given by the formula: v = f * λ.
        Frequency - Frequency is the number of complete wave cycles that pass a given point in one second. It is measured (usually) in Hertz (Hz).
          Hz = 1/sec or sec^-1
      Wavelength - Wavelength is the distance between two consecutive points in a wave that are in phase. It is usually represented by the symbol λ (lambda) and is often measured in meters (m).



    Sound - compressional waves in air or another medium that we can detect with our ears.
        Pitch - how "high" or "low" a sound is (as in musical notes).  Pitch is determined by frequency of the soundwaves.
        Volume - how loud or quiet a sound is.  Volume is determined by the amplitude of the soundwaves.
        Medium of sound is often air, but can be other materials as well; sound travels at different velocities in different media.
    Doppler effect - the apparent change in frequency of sound (or other wave) due to the relative velocity or the source and receiver.  Either the thing making the sound, or the observer (or both) are moving.
        Frequency is higher if objects -are getting closer
        Frequency is lower if objects -are moving away
    Sound barrier - an object is said to have broken the sound barrier if it is traveling faster than the speed of sound
        Speed of sound in air depends on altitude and other factors
        A sonic boom is generated when something breaks the sound barrier