8 - Mechanical Waves

Front

What is the definition of a mechanical wave?

Back

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

Front

What is amplitude in a wave?

Back

Amplitude is the maximum distance that points on a wave, such as the crest or trough, move from their rest position.

Front

What is the wavelength of a wave?

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 a crest in a wave?

Back

A crest is the highest point of a wave.

Front

What is a trough in a wave?

Back

A trough is the lowest point of a wave.

Front

How does sound travel through different materials?

Back

Sound travels fastest in solids, slower in liquids, and slowest in gases due to the density and elasticity of the materials.

Front

What are electromagnetic waves?

Back

Electromagnetic waves are waves that can travel through a vacuum and do not require a medium; they include radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays.

Front

What is the relationship between frequency and wavelength?

Back

Frequency and wavelength are inversely related; as the frequency of a wave increases, its wavelength decreases, and vice versa.

Front

What is the formula for wave speed?

Back

Wave speed (v) is calculated using the formula v = frequency (f) × wavelength (λ).

Front

What is the principle of superposition in waves?

Back

The principle of superposition states that when two or more waves overlap, the resulting wave displacement is the sum of the individual displacements.