Mechanical Waves

Front

What are mechanical waves?

Back

Waves that involve compression and require a medium (solid, liquid, or gas) to travel.

Front

What is a medium in the context of mechanical waves?

Back

The matter (solid, liquid, or gas) through which compression waves travel.

Front

What happens to sound waves when they bounce off walls in a tunnel?

Back

They are compressed and strike the walls, bouncing off of them.

Front

How does increasing compression affect the loudness of sound?

Back

The sound becomes louder.

Front

What is compression in mechanical waves?

Back

A region where particles are close together, resulting in increased pressure.

Front

What is rarefaction in mechanical waves?

Back

A region where particles are spread apart, resulting in decreased pressure.

Front

What type of wave is sound classified as?

Back

A mechanical wave.

Front

Can mechanical waves travel through a vacuum?

Back

No, they require a medium to travel.

Front

What is the difference between transverse and longitudinal waves?

Back

Transverse waves oscillate perpendicular to the direction of wave travel, while longitudinal waves oscillate parallel to the direction of wave travel.

Front

Give an example of a mechanical wave.

Back

Sound waves, seismic waves, and water waves.