Wave Properties
A wave is a disturbance that transfers _________ from one place to another without transferring ___________.
energy, matter
What are the two types of mechanical waves?
transverse and longitudinal
The distance between one point on a wave to the same point on the next wave is the _____________.
wavelength
___________ is the bouncing of a wave off a surface.
Reflection
A suntan or a sunburn are both examples of what type of wave behavior?
absorption
What are the two main categories of waves?
mechanical and electromagnetic
What are three examples of mechanical waves?
sound wave, water wave, and seismic wave
The ____________ of a wave is the number of times the pattern repeats in a given time. It is measured in ____________________, also called Hertz (Hz).
frequency, cycles per second
_______________ is the transfer of energy by a wave to the medium through which it travels.
Absorption
The perception of how high or low a sound seems is its _________.
pitch
What is a medium?
A material in which a wave travels
How would you classify the three main examples of mechanical waves?
A sound wave is longitudinal, a water wave is transverse, and a seismic wave is longitudinal
The _____________ of a wave is the maximum distance that the wave moves from its rest position.
amplitude
Which mechanical wave interaction allows your to hear a sound down around a corner or through an opening?
diffraction
Bats, dolphins, whales, and other animals use reflection of sounds waves to navigate through the process of _______________.
echolocation
What is the absence of a medium or matter called?
A vacuum
What is the difference between the two types of mechanical waves?
A transverse wave is a wave in which the disturbance is perpendicular to the direction the wave travels. A longitudinal wave causes the particles in a medium to move parallel to the direction the wave travels.
A wave has a wavelength of 8 meters and a frequency of 20 hertz. What is the speed of the wave?
Wave speed (or velocity) = wavelength x frequency
8 meters x 20 hertz = 160 m/s
Which wave interaction allows you to hear sounds through solid walls or other solid objects?
Transmission
What is the relationship between amplitude of a wave and the amount of energy in a wave?
For both transverse and longitudinal waves, the amplitude of a wave is proportional to the energy that produces that wave. The larger the amplitude from rest, the more energy that wave carries.
What are the main similarities and differences between mechanical and electromagnetic waves?
Mechanical and electromagnetic waves can both travel through a medium, but only mechanical waves require a medium. Mechanical waves cannot travel through a vacuum, but electromagnetic waves can.
Classify the following examples of mechanical waves: a flag flapping in the wind, a slinky being pushed back and forth, a jump rope being flicked up and down
flag = transverse wave, slinky = longitudinal wave, jump rope = transverse wave
What is the difference between the loudness and the intensity of a sound?
Loudness is relative and can change depending on the person hearing the sound wave, the source of the sound wave, and the distance between the person and the source of the sound. Intensity is consistent with the source of the sound regardless of the person hearing it or how far away they are from the source.
How is color perceived and how is this related to mechanical wave interactions?
Your perception of colors is due to reflection and absorption of light waves. For any color object (except black and white), that object is reflecting the color light that it appears to you and absorbing all other colors of light. For the color black, an object is absorbing all colors of light. For the color white, an object is reflecting all colors of light.
What is the difference between constructive interference and destructive interference in waves?
In constructive interference, two waves that are aligned the same direction meet and create a larger wave with a larger amplitude. In destructive interference, two waves that are aligned in opposite directions meet and cancel each other out.