Waves and Energy
A periodic back-and-forth motion that transmits energy
wave
The length of a wave
wavelength
The bending of the path of a wave as a result of a change in wave speed
refraction
Vibrations traveling through a medium as longitudinal pressure waves
sound
A sound heard distinctly after being reflected from some object
echo
Substance through which a wave transfers its energy
medium
The number of waves that pass a given point per unit of time
frequency
The spreading out of a wave after it passes through a narrow opening
diffraction
Strength of a sound wave
intensity
The study of sound
acoustics
The high point of a wave train
crest
Maximum distance particles are displaced in a wave train
amplitude
Perpendicular line from which reflection is measured
normal
The effect of intensity on the way the human ear perceives sound
loudness
The process of dissipating the energy of sound waves in matter
absorption
This type of wave has particles of the transmitting medium oscillating at right angles to the direction of wave travel
transverse wave
f = N/t
frequency of a wave
Waves that strike an obstacle
incident waves
The effect of frequency on the way our ear perceives sound
pitch
This technique uses the reflection of sound to calculate distance
echo ranging
This type of wave has particles of the medium oscillating in the direction of wave motion
longitudinal wave
T = 1/f
period of a wave
The relationship between the angle of incidence and angle of reflection
law of reflection
The relationship between sound intensity and distance
Intensity is inversely proportional to the square of distance
Sound that has too low a frequency to be heard?
infrasonic