Types of Waves
Mechanical Wave
What is the lowest point of a transverse wave called?
Trough
In the wave speed formula v = f x lambda, the letter v stands for this wave measurement, usually expressed in meters per second (m/s).
Wave Speed or Velocity
A flashlight beam bounces off a bathroom mirror and illuminates the opposite wall.
Reflection
This type of interference occurs when two wave crests meet at the exact same time, combining their energy to form a single wave with a larger amplitude (louder sound or brighter light).
Constructive
Are sound waves mechanical or electromagnetic?
Mechanical
In a longitudinal wave, this is the area where particles are squeezed closest together, while this other area is where particles are spread furthest apart.
Compression
An ocean wave has a wavelength of 4 meters and a frequency of 2 Hz. This is the calculated speed of the wave.
8 m/s
A straw appears broken or shifted when sitting inside a clear glass of water.
Refraction
This type of interference happens when a crest from one wave meets a trough from another wave, canceling each other out to create a smaller wave or complete silence.
Destructive
A wave that requires a medium and oscillates perpendicular at 90 degree angles to it direction of travel is _______________.
Transverse
The maximum distance a wave vibrates or moves from its rest (equilibrium) position, measuring its overall height or energy.
Amplitude
Water waves travel toward a shore at a speed of 6 m/s with a wavelength of 3 meters. This is how many wave crests hit the shore each second.
2 Hz
You can pick up a clear radio signal even while driving behind a huge mountain because the radio waves bend around the mountain's peak
Diffraction
On a standing wave pattern, this is a point of complete destructive interference that stays completely stationary with zero amplitude.
Node
A wave that does not require a medium and can travel through a vacuum is ______________.
Electromagnetic
What is the distance between two consecutive identical points on a wave (for example, crest to crest) called?
Wavelength
A sound wave travels at 340 m/s with a frequency of 170 Hz. This is the wavelength of the sound wave.
2 meters
A bat uses echolocation to navigate in the dark by emitting high-pitched sounds that bounce off cave walls and return to its ears.
Reflection
On a standing wave pattern, this is a point of maximum constructive interference where the wave reaches its highest peak and maximum vibration.
Antinode
A wave that requires a medium and oscillates parallel to its direction of travel is _______________.
Longitudinal
The number of complete wave cycles that pass a fixed point in one second
Frequency
If you increase the frequency of a wave, the wavelength will ____________.
Decrease
Ocean waves spreading out in wide curves after passing through a narrow gap between two rock sea walls is a classic example of this wave behavior.
Diffraction
On a guitar string tied down securely at both ends, a standing wave with 3 antinodes will always have this exact number of nodes.
4