waves

• What is the distance between 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
• What is the formula for wave velocity?

  Velocity = frequency × wavelength
• How is the period related to frequency?

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

  Velocity increases
• What occurs with a smaller period in terms of frequency and velocity?

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

  • Transverse waves
  • Longitudinal waves
• What is an example of a transverse wave?

  Light or any electromagnetic wave
• What is 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 in a wave?

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

  Use echo time and distance
• What happens to waves at the boundary of different materials?

  Waves can reflect, absorb, or transmit
• What is the angle of incidence equal to?

  Angle of reflection
• How does a smooth 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
• How do sound waves travel through solids?

  Causing vibrations in the solid
• What does the outer ear do?

  Collects sound and channels it to the ear canal
• What happens when sound waves hit the eardrum?

  It vibrates due to pressure waves
• How do the small bones in the ear respond to sound?

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

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

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

  20Hz to 20kHz
• What can damage the hairs in the cochlea?

  Constant loud noise over the years
• Why can we not hear ultrasound?

  We do not use sonar for hunting
• What happens to ultrasound at a boundary between two media?

  Partially reflected back
• What are P waves in seismic waves?

  Longitudinal waves that pass through solids and liquids
• What are S waves in seismic waves?

  Transverse waves that only pass through solids
• What does sonar measure?

  Depth by timing reflected ultrasound
• What is the visible light spectrum?

  Range of colors with specific wavelengths
• How does blue light compare to red light?

  Blue has shorter wavelength, higher frequency
• What is the effect of a smooth surface on reflection?

  Produces a single reflection
• What does a color filter do?

  Absorbs all but certain wavelengths
• How is the color of an opaque object determined?

  By the strength of reflection for different wavelengths
• What happens to a body at constant temperature?

  It absorbs and emits radiation at the same rate
• What occurs when a body increases in temperature?

  It absorbs more energy than it emits
• What happens when a body cools down?

  Releases energy at a greater rate than it absorbs