Unit #9 - Waves Review

Front

What type of wave is demonstrated by moving a slinky back and forth?

Back

Longitudinal wave: A wave in which the displacement of the medium is in the same direction as the wave travels.

Front

What kind of wave is characterized by particle motion being perpendicular to wave direction?

Back

Transverse wave: A wave in which the particles of the medium move perpendicular to the direction of the wave.

Front

What is a compressional wave?

Back

A type of longitudinal wave where particles of the medium are compressed together and then spread apart.

Front

What type of wave has the highest energy and shortest wavelength?

Back

Gamma waves: The most energetic electromagnetic waves with very short wavelengths.

Front

What is reflection in terms of wave behavior?

Back

Reflection: The bouncing back of a wave when it hits a barrier.

Front

What is refraction?

Back

Refraction: The bending of waves as they pass from one medium to another due to a change in speed.

Front

What is absorption in wave behavior?

Back

Absorption: The process by which a wave's energy is taken in by the medium it travels through.

Front

What is a mechanical wave?

Back

Mechanical wave: A wave that requires a medium (solid, liquid, or gas) to travel through.

Front

What is a sound wave?

Back

Sound wave: A type of longitudinal wave that is created by vibrating objects and travels through a medium.

Front

What is the difference between longitudinal and transverse waves?

Back

Longitudinal waves have particle motion parallel to wave direction, while transverse waves have particle motion perpendicular to wave direction.