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 are the two main types of mechanical waves?

Back

The two main types of mechanical waves are transverse waves and longitudinal waves.

Front

Define wavelength in the context of mechanical waves.

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

What is amplitude in a wave?

Back

Amplitude is the maximum displacement of points on a wave from their rest position, indicating the wave's energy.

Front

What is a crest in a transverse wave?

Back

A crest is the highest point of a wave.

Front

What is a trough in a transverse wave?

Back

A trough is the lowest point of a wave.

Front

Define compression in a longitudinal wave.

Back

Compression is the region in a longitudinal wave where particles are closest together.

Front

Define rarefaction in a longitudinal wave.

Back

Rarefaction is the region in a longitudinal wave where particles are furthest apart.

Front

What is the wave equation?

Back

The wave equation is v = λ x f, where v is the wave speed, λ is the wavelength, and f is the frequency.

Front

What is frequency in the context of waves?

Back

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