All Flashcards
What is a wave?
A travelling disturbance that transfers energy and momentum.
What is amplitude?
The maximum displacement of a wave from its equilibrium value.
Define wavelength.
The distance from one repeated unit of a wave to the next.
What is the period of a wave?
The time it takes for one complete cycle of a wave to occur.
Define frequency.
The number of cycles of a wave in a given amount of time.
What is a transverse wave?
A wave where the particles vibrate perpendicular to the direction of wave motion.
What is a longitudinal wave?
A wave where the particles vibrate parallel to the direction of wave motion.
What is the effect of increasing the amplitude of a wave?
Classically, the energy carried by the wave increases.
What happens to the wavelength of a wave if the frequency decreases, assuming constant velocity?
The wavelength increases.
What is required for mechanical waves to propagate?
A medium is required.
What is the effect of increasing the frequency of a wave, assuming the velocity remains constant?
The wavelength decreases (inverse relationship).
What is the effect of increasing the amplitude of a sound wave?
The sound becomes louder.
What happens to the velocity of a mechanical wave if the density of the medium increases?
The velocity generally increases.
What happens to the velocity of a mechanical wave if the tension of the medium increases?
The velocity generally increases.