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Waves
Characteristics of waves
24
Physics
11th Grade
10/10/2013

Additional Physics Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term

A wave is a disturbance that transmits ___________________.

Definition

A wave is a disturbance that transmits

energy.

 

Term

Electromagnetic waves move back and forth at right angles to the direction that the wave travels which makes them _______.

Definition

Electromagnetic waves move back and forth at right angles to the direction that the wave travels which makes them

transverse waves.

 

Term

The speed of a wave depends on the ________.

Definition

The speed of a wave depends on the medium.

Term

Waves that need a medium in which to travel are called ______.

Definition

Waves that need a medium in which to travel are called

mechanical waves.

 

Term

Most waves are caused by _____.

Definition

Most waves are caused by

a disturbance or movement.

 

Term

For which type of waves do particles in the medium vibrate perpendicular to the direction in which the waves are traveling?

Definition

For which type of waves do particles in the medium vibrate perpendicular to the direction in which the waves are traveling?


transverse waves

 

Term

A sound wave is an example of _____.

Definition

A sound wave is an example of

a compressional wave.

 

Term

In an ocean wave, the molecules of water

Definition

In an ocean wave, the molecules of water

move up-and-down and back-and-forth making the wave move in circles.

 

Term

Half the verticle distance between the crest and trough of a wave is called the _____.

Definition

Half the verticle distance between the crest and trough of a wave is called the

amplitude.


 

Term

The number of waves passing a given point per unit of time is called the _____.

Definition

The number of waves passing a given point per unit of time is called the

frequency

 

Term

The bending of a wave around an object is _____.

Definition

The bending of a wave around an object is

diffraction.

 

Term

The combining of waves as they meet is known as _____.

Definition

The combining of waves as they meet is known as

a constructive interference.

 

Term

When waves change speed as they pass from one medium to another is called ______.

Definition

When waves change speed as they pass from one medium to another is called

refraction.

 

Term

_____ is measured in hertz.

Definition

Frequencyis measured in hertz.

 

Term

The Greek letter lambda is often used to represent a wave's _____.

Definition

The Greek letter lambda is often used to represent a wave's

wavelength. 

 

Term

 

 

The high point of a transverse wave is _____.

Definition

 

 

The high point of a transverse wave is

 

the crest.

 

Term

 

 

The less dense region of a compression wave is called _____.

Definition

 

 

The less dense region of a compression wave is called

the rarefraction.

 

Term

 

If a wave has a wavelength of 10 m and a frequency of 10 Hz, what is the wave speed?

Definition

 

If a wave has a wavelength of 10 m and a frequency of 10 Hz, what is the wave speed?

 

100 m/s

Term

 

 

A wave will travel only as long as it has energy to carry.

Definition

 

 

A wave will travel only as long as it has energy to carry.

True

 

Term

 

 

All waves need a medium in order to travel.

Definition

 

 

All waves need a medium in order to travel.

 

False

 

 

Some waves must travel through a substance. The substance is known as the medium, and it can be solid, liquid or gas. Sound waves and seismic waves are like this: they must travel through a medium. It is the medium that vibrates as the waves travel through it.

 

Term

Sound waves are _________waves.  They are caused by vibrations in the air. Sound waves can travel through other mediums such as wood or water.

Definition
Sound waves are compression waves.  They are caused by vibrations in the air. Sound waves can travel through other mediums such as wood or water.
Term

A surface wave is another type of wave.  Surface wave particles move in circles.  These types of waves occur at the boundary between two different mediums.  The particles move both ___________and parallel. 

Definition

A surface wave is another type of wave.  Surface wave particles move in circles.  These types of waves occur at the boundary between two different mediums.  The particles move both perpendicularly and parallel. 

Term

_____________waves are waves that are both compressional and transverse. As the earth’s crust breaks, it creates vibrations.  This creates seismic waves and these seismic waves can carry energy outward. 

Definition

Seismic waves are waves that are both compressional and transverse. As the earth’s crust breaks, it creates vibrations.  This creates seismic waves and these seismic waves can carry energy outward. 

Term

 A wave is a _____________ that carries energy through matter or space.

Definition

 A wave is a disturbance that carries energy through matter or space.

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