topic 6 waves

• What is the distance between the same points on two consecutive waves called?

  Wavelength
• What does amplitude measure in a wave?

  Distance from equilibrium to maximum displacement
• How is frequency defined in wave physics?

  Number of waves passing a point per second
• What is the period of a wave?

  Time taken for a whole wave to pass
• How is wave velocity calculated?

  Velocity = frequency × wavelength
• What is the relationship between period and frequency?

  Period = 1 / frequency
• What happens to velocity when frequency increases?

  Velocity increases
• How does wavelength affect velocity?

  Wavelength increases, velocity increases
• What is the relationship between period and frequency?

  Period is inversely proportional to frequency
• What occurs when the period is smaller?

  Higher frequency and greater velocity
• What are the two main types of waves?

  • Transverse waves
  • Longitudinal waves
• Give an example of a transverse wave.

  Light or any electromagnetic wave
• How do transverse waves vibrate?

  At right angles to the direction of travel
• Give an example of a longitudinal wave.

  Sound waves
• How do longitudinal waves vibrate?

  In the same direction as the direction of travel
• What happens to the medium when a wave travels through it?

  The wave moves, not the medium
• How can you measure the velocity of sound in air?

  Use echo timing or microphones
• How do you measure the velocity of ripples on water?

  Use a stroboscope matching wave frequency
• What happens to waves at the boundary between two materials?

  They can be reflected, absorbed, or transmitted
• What is the angle of incidence equal to?

  Angle of reflection
• How does a smoother surface affect wave reflection?

  Stronger reflected wave
• What happens when light reflects off an opaque object?

  Electrons absorb and reemit light energy
• What occurs during wave transmission?

  Waves pass through a transparent material
• What happens if the frequency of light matches electron energy levels?

  Light is absorbed by the electrons
• What is the effect of absorbed light on an object?

  It is reemitted as heat over time
• How do sound waves travel through solids?

  By causing vibrations in the solid
• What happens when sound waves hit the eardrum?

  They cause the eardrum to vibrate
• How do the small bones in the ear respond to sound?

  They vibrate at the same frequency as sound
• What do the vibrations in the cochlea cause?

  Movement of small hairs sensitive to frequencies
• What happens when a hair in the cochlea moves?

  It releases an electrical impulse to the brain
• What is the human hearing range?

  20Hz to 20kHz
• What causes damage to hair cells in the cochlea?

  Constant loud noise or aging
• What happens to ultrasound at a boundary between two media?

  Partially reflected back and transmitted
• Why can humans not hear ultrasound?

  We evolved to hear specific frequency ranges
• How can ultrasound be used for imaging?

  By measuring time between emission and detection
• What are P and S waves?

  P waves are longitudinal; S waves are transverse
• What does sonar measure?

  Depth by timing reflected ultrasound
• What is the speed of electromagnetic waves in space?

  Speed of light
• How does wavelength relate to frequency in electromagnetic waves?

  As wavelength decreases, frequency increases

  
• What part of the electromagnetic spectrum can our eyes detect?

  Visible light