Waves and Sound Flashcards

Grade 10 · Science · Flashcards

Review key terms and concepts for waves, sound, and acoustic physics.

Flashcards

Wave: A disturbance that transfers energy through matter or space without permanently displacing the medium.
Mechanical wave: A wave that requires a physical medium to travel (e.g., sound, water waves).
Electromagnetic wave: A wave that can travel through a vacuum (e.g., light, radio waves, X-rays).
Longitudinal wave: Wave where particle vibration is parallel to wave travel direction; compressions and rarefactions (e.g., sound).
Transverse wave: Wave where particle vibration is perpendicular to wave travel direction (e.g., light, guitar strings).
Frequency: Number of wave cycles per second; measured in Hertz (Hz). Determines pitch in sound.
Wavelength (λ): Distance between two identical adjacent points on a wave (crest to crest or trough to trough).
Amplitude: Maximum displacement of a wave from rest; determines energy/loudness in sound.
Wave speed (v = fλ): The speed at which a wave travels; equals frequency times wavelength.
Doppler effect: Apparent change in frequency when the wave source or observer is in motion relative to the other.
Resonance: Amplified vibration when an object is driven at its own natural frequency.
Ultrasound: Sound waves with frequency above 20,000 Hz, above the human hearing range; used in medical imaging.