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 location to another.

Front

What is the medium in the context of mechanical waves?

Back

The medium is the matter (solid, liquid, or gas) through which mechanical waves travel.

Front

How does frequency affect sound?

Back

Frequency affects a sound's pitch; higher frequency results in a higher pitch, while lower frequency results in a lower pitch.

Front

What happens to the pitch of a sound if the distance from the source increases?

Back

The pitch would be lower.

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

What is the relationship between wavelength and frequency?

Back

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

Front

What is amplitude in the context of waves?

Back

Amplitude is the maximum displacement of points on a wave from its rest position, related to the energy of the wave.

Front

What type of wave requires a medium to travel?

Back

Mechanical waves require a medium to travel, unlike electromagnetic waves which can travel through a vacuum.

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

What is a transverse wave?

Back

A transverse wave is a wave in which the particles of the medium move perpendicular to the direction of the wave's travel.