Ch. 17 Mechanical Waves & Sound

Front

What is a mechanical wave?

Back

A mechanical wave is a disturbance that travels through a medium (solid, liquid, or gas) and requires a medium to propagate.

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 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 propagation.

Front

Define a longitudinal wave.

Back

A longitudinal wave is a wave in which the particles of the medium move parallel to the direction of the wave's propagation.

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 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 amplitude?

Back

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

Front

What is a surface wave?

Back

A surface wave is a wave that travels along the interface between two different media, such as water waves.

Front

What are rarefactions in a longitudinal wave?

Back

Rarefactions are the regions in a longitudinal wave where the particles are spread apart, resulting in lower pressure.