Mechanical Waves

Front

What is a mechanical wave?

Back

A mechanical wave is a disturbance that travels through a medium (solid, liquid, or gas) and transfers energy from one point to another.

Front

What is the time period of a wave?

Back

The time period is the duration of one complete cycle of a wave, typically measured in seconds.

Front

What is the formula for wave speed?

Back

Wave speed (v) = frequency (f) × wavelength (λ).

Front

What is frequency in the context of waves?

Back

Frequency is the number of complete cycles of a wave that pass a point in one second, measured in Hertz (Hz).

Front

What is wavelength?

Back

Wavelength is the distance between two consecutive points that are in phase on a wave, such as crest to crest or trough to trough.

Front

True or False: Mechanical waves can travel through a vacuum.

Back

False. Mechanical waves require a physical medium to travel.

Front

What is the difference between transverse and longitudinal waves?

Back

In transverse waves, the particle displacement is perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation, while in longitudinal waves, the particle displacement is parallel to the direction of wave propagation.

Front

What is an example of a transverse wave?

Back

An example of a transverse wave is a wave on a string or electromagnetic waves.

Front

What is an example of a longitudinal wave?

Back

An example of a longitudinal wave is a sound wave.

Front

How do you calculate the speed of a sound wave given its frequency and wavelength?

Back

Use the formula: Speed = Frequency × Wavelength.