All Flashcards
How do you calculate the velocity of a wave using wavelength and frequency?
Use the formula: v = λf, where v is velocity, λ is wavelength, and f is frequency.
How do you calculate the velocity of a wave using wavelength and period?
Use the formula: v = λ/T, where v is velocity, λ is wavelength, and T is the period.
What is a wave?
A travelling disturbance that transfers energy and momentum.
Define transverse wave.
A wave where particles vibrate perpendicular to the direction of wave motion.
Define longitudinal wave.
A wave where particles vibrate parallel to the direction of wave motion.
What is amplitude?
The maximum displacement of a wave from its equilibrium position.
Define wavelength.
The distance from one repeated unit of a wave to the next.
What is the period (T) of a wave?
The time it takes for one complete cycle of a wave to occur.
What is the frequency (f) of a wave?
The number of cycles of a wave in a given amount of time.
Compare and contrast transverse and longitudinal waves.
Transverse: Particles oscillate perpendicular to wave direction; examples include light waves. Longitudinal: Particles oscillate parallel to wave direction; examples include sound waves. Both transfer energy.
Compare the relationship between amplitude and energy in waves.
Higher amplitude: Carries more energy. Lower amplitude: Carries less energy.