Wave Fundamentals
This is defined as a disturbance that carries energy through matter or space.
A Wave
This wave property determines the pitch of a sound.
frequency
This occurs when two waves combine to form a wave with greater amplitude.
Constructive Interference
Sound travels fastest in this state of matter.
Solids
This is the formula used to calculate wave speed.
v = fλ
In this type of wave, particle motion is perpendicular to the direction the wave travels.
Transverse Wave
This wave property determines the loudness of a sound.
This occurs when two waves combine and cancel each other out.
Destructive Interference
Sound travels faster in solids because of this property of their particles.
Particles are closer together and transfer vibrations faster?
A wave has a frequency of 60 Hz and a wavelength of 5 m. Calculate its speed.
300 m/s
In this type of wave, particle motion is parallel to the direction the wave travels.
Longitudinal Wave
Sounds below the range of human hearing are called this.
Infrasound
This is the bending of waves around a barrier or opening.
Diffraction
This structure vibrates first when sound waves enter the ear canal.
Eardrum
A wave has a frequency of 8 Hz and a speed of 32 m/s. Calculate its wavelength.
4 meters
This is an example of a longitudinal mechanical wave that requires a medium to travel.
Sound Wave
The Doppler Effect occurs when there is this between the source and the observer.
Motion between the source and the observer.
This occurs when a wave bounces off a surface.
Reflection
Describe the full pathway sound takes from entering the ear to reaching the brain.
outer ear → ear canal → eardrum → ossicles → cochlea → auditory nerve → brain
A wave has a wavelength of 15 m and a speed of 450 m/s. Calculate its frequency.
30 Hz
These waves require a medium to travel, unlike electromagnetic waves which do not.
Mechanical Waves
This describes the relationship between frequency and period, expressed as T = 1/f.
Inverse Relationship
This occurs when a wave changes speed and bends as it enters a new medium.
Refraction
This explains how amplitude and wavelength relate to wave energy.
Greater amplitude means greater energy, and shorter wavelength means higher frequency.
A wave has a period of 0.02 s and a wavelength of 6.84 m. Calculate its speed.
342 m/s