mechanical waves

• What is a transverse wave?

  A wave whose oscillations are perpendicular
• What is a longitudinal wave?

  A wave whose oscillations are parallel
• What is compression in a wave?

  Squashed coils
• What is rarefaction in a wave?

  Stretched coils
• What is the amplitude of a wave?

  Highest point above undisturbed position
• What is the wavelength of a wave?

  Distance between two successive crests or troughs
• What is the frequency of a wave?

  Number of complete waves passing per second
• What property of a wave changes when it enters a different medium?

  Speed
• What happens to a wave when it is reflected?

  Angle of incidence equals angle of reflection
• What does it mean when a wave is refracted?

  Change in speed and direction
• What sounds can a stationary observer hear in a car?

  Energy of the wave transformed to other substances
• What happens when waves are absorbed by a substance?

  Energy of the wave is transformed
• What do waves transfer from one place to another?

  Energy
• What are the two types of mechanical waves?

  Transverse and longitudinal
• What happens when a light object is dropped into still water?

  It produces ripples that spread out
• How do sound waves travel through the air?

  By vibrating the air particles
• What are transverse waves characterized by?

  Oscillations perpendicular to energy transfer
• What do mechanical waves require to travel?

  A substance (medium)
• What happens to particles in a substance when longitudinal waves travel through it?

  They oscillate and pass energy to neighbors
• What do longitudinal waves produce in a substance?

  Areas of compression and rarefaction
• What is amplitude in wave properties?

  Maximum displacement from undisturbed position
• What is frequency measured in?

  Hertz (Hz)
• How are frequency and period related?

  Period = 1 / frequency
• What is the wave equation?

  Wave speed = frequency × wavelength
• What happens to the frequency when waves travel from one medium to another?

  It always stays the same
• How can the speed of ripples on water be measured?

  Using a stopwatch and ruler
• How can the speed of sound in air be measured?

  By timing sound over a known distance
• What are the properties of waves?

  • Amplitude (A)
  • Frequency (ƒ)
  • Period (T)
  • Wavelength (λ)
  • Wave speed (v)
• What is the definition of absorption in wave behavior?

  Energy transferred to the substance's stores
• What is reflection in wave behavior?

  Waves bounce back
• What is refraction in wave behavior?

  Waves change speed and direction
• What is transmission in wave behavior?

  Waves continue moving after crossing a boundary
• What is the rule for reflection of waves?

  Angle of incidence equals angle of reflection
• What is the unit of wavelength?

  Metre (m)
• What is the unit of wave speed?

  Metres per second (m/s)
• What is the unit of period?

  Second (s)
• What is the unit of amplitude?

  Metre (m)
• What is the unit of frequency?

  Hertz (Hz)
• What is the definition of compression in waves?

  Particles are squashed closer together
• What is the definition of rarefaction in waves?

  Particles are pulled further apart