Mechanical and Electromagnetic Waves Flashcard

Front

What is a mechanical wave?

Back

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

Front

What is an electromagnetic wave?

Back

An electromagnetic wave is a wave that can travel through a vacuum and does not require a medium.

Front

What is the speed of sound in air?

Back

The speed of sound in air at room temperature is approximately 343 meters per second.

Front

What is wavelength?

Back

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

Front

What is frequency?

Back

Frequency is the number of waves that pass a given point in one second, measured in Hertz (Hz).

Front

What is the relationship between wavelength and frequency?

Back

Wavelength and frequency are inversely related; as the wavelength increases, the frequency decreases, and vice versa.

Front

What is compression in a longitudinal wave?

Back

Compression is the area in a longitudinal wave where the particles are close together.

Front

What is rarefaction in a longitudinal wave?

Back

Rarefaction is the area in a longitudinal wave where the particles are spread apart.

Front

What are ultraviolet rays?

Back

Ultraviolet rays are electromagnetic waves with shorter wavelengths than visible light and can cause sunburn.

Front

What is the electromagnetic spectrum?

Back

The electromagnetic spectrum is the range of all types of electromagnetic radiation, from radio waves to gamma rays.