Waves Test

A transfer of energy in the form of a disturbance passing through an object (medium).

Occur when the wave moves perpendicular to the medium.

The maximum displacement from the equilibrium

Occur when the waves move parallel through the medium. Involves a series of compressing and recoiling particles. (think of slinky example)

areas of a longitudinal wave that are pressed tightly together

the areas in a longitudinal wave that expand as the wave travels.

The number of cycles passing through a specific point. (Hz)

ending up back where you started. (crest-crest or trough to trough)

The time required for a wave to complete one cycle (s).

revolutions per minute = revs/seconds

They are reciprocals of each other (top and bottom reversed)

All forms of light travel at the same speed but they each have their own range of wavelengths and frequencies.

A relationship between frequency, speed, and the wavelength. Formula: v=(wavelength)f

a wave transferring its energy from one medium to another. Because there is a change in MEDIUM, there is also a change in SPEED. • frequency stays the same • speed change = wavelength change

energy will bounce back when it hits a barrier and continue going the opposite way until it runs out of energy. • fixed end, flips upside down • free end, stays the same way just changes direction

a loss of energy resulting in a lower amplitude due to hitting the barrier

occurs when a wave is transmitted to a new medium. Some of the energy reflects back while some continues driving forward. • light > dense medium = fixed end • dense > light medium = free end

• animals using echolocation to hunt • x-rays • ultrasound

when two or more waves act at the same time on a single medium.

the resulting disturbance from an interference can be found by adding the individual displacements that each would have caused.

the overall amplitude of both waves will be larger than each individual one. • two positives

the overall amplitude of both waves is smaller than each individual one. • one positive, one negative Note: they do not need to fully cancel out

occurs when the frequency and wavelength of a wave are just right. An interference pattern that creates both constructive and destructive waves at the same time. • waves have to appear as if they are just moving up and down

the places in a standing wave with no energy/nothing happening • destructive interference distance between two nodes = 1/2 wavelength