Wave Interactions

Front

What are mechanical waves?

Back

Mechanical waves are waves that require a medium (solid, liquid, or gas) to travel through. Examples include sound waves and water waves.

Front

What is the definition of refraction?

Back

Refraction is the bending of a wave as it passes from one medium to another, changing its speed.

Front

What is diffraction?

Back

Diffraction is the bending and spreading of waves around obstacles or through openings.

Front

What is resonance?

Back

Resonance is the phenomenon that occurs when a system is driven at its natural frequency, resulting in a significant increase in amplitude.

Front

What is reflection in wave interactions?

Back

Reflection is the bouncing back of a wave when it hits a barrier or a different medium.

Front

What is the difference between constructive and destructive interference?

Back

Constructive interference occurs when two waves meet in phase, resulting in a larger amplitude. Destructive interference occurs when two waves meet out of phase, resulting in a smaller amplitude.

Front

What is the speed of a wave?

Back

The speed of a wave is the distance traveled by a wave in a given amount of time, often calculated as speed = wavelength × frequency.

Front

What is the wavelength of a wave?

Back

Wavelength is the distance between successive crests or troughs of a wave.

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).

Front

What is the principle of superposition?

Back

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