Waves – Space Test Questions – Flashcards
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Any disturbance that transmits energy through matter or space is called a _________________
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wave
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How is energy (a wave) transmitted through a medium?
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The energy causes the particles of a medium to vibrate (move back and forth). Collisions between neighboring particles transfer the energy . ***Remember: The particles of a medium are temporarily displaced from their resting position and are NOT carried along with the wave.
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Material through which a mechanical wave travels
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Medium - any matter (solid, liquid or gas)
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All waves are classified as either ____ or ____.
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Mechanical or Electromagnetic
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Type of wave that requires a medium.
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Mechanical waves
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Type of wave that can travel through the vacuum of space - DOES NOT require a medium.
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Electromagnetic waves
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Sound, water and seismic waves are examples of this type of wave
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Mechanical wave
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True or False: Sound can be heard in a vacuum.
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False: A vacuum is empty space (no matter). Sound waves must have a medium (matter) in order to travel. Sound waves are mechanical waves.
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UV, Infrared, x-rays, visible light, gamma, microwaves, radio waves are examples of this type of wave
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Electromagnetic wave
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This wave washes up on tiny beaches
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Microwaves, ha, ha - just a joke!
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True or False: Waves carry energy and matter from one place to another
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FALSE - Think Nemo! Waves carry energy, NOT matter
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True or False The particles in a transverse wave move PARALLEL to the direction that the wave is traveling
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FALSE - The particles in a transverse wave move PERPENDICULAR to the direction that the wave is traveling
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True or False: The particles in a longitudinal wave move parallel to the direction that the wave is traveling
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TRUE dat yo! (Longitudinal waves cause the particles of the medium to vibrate back and forth along the path that the wave travels.)
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What is a crest?
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Nope, not a brand of toothpaste - IT IS THE HIGH POINT OF A TRANSVERSE WAVE!
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What is a trough?
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True, it is a long narrow bucket from which farm animals eat, but that is NOT the answer. IT IS THE LOW POINT OF A TRANSVERSE WAVE!
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The distance from crest to crest OR trough to trough in a transverse wave is its ___.
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wavelength
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Identify the part of a longitudinal wave where particles of the medium are crowded together
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compression
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Identify the part of a longitudinal wave where particles of the medium are further apart (less crowded).
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rarefaction
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The distance from compression to compression OR rarefaction to rarefaction in a longitudinal wave is its ___.
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wavelength
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The amount of energy in a wave is called its ____. (Also referred to as the HEIGHT of a wave)
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Amplitude
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The distance from resting point of the medium to the crest or from resting point of the medium to the trough is called its ____.
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Amplitude
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Relationships: As the wavelength increases, the frequency _____.
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decreases - the frequency of a wave is indirectly related its wavelength
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Relationships (True or False): The amplitude of a wave is directly related to its wavelength.
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FALSE - Wavelength has NO EFFECT on the amplitude of a wave.
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Relationships (True or False): The amplitude of a wave is indirectly related to its frequency.
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FALSE - Frequency has NO EFFECT on the amplitude of a wave.
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What is the formula for wave speed?
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wave speed = frequency x wavelength
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A wave that is a combination of longitudinal and transverse waves is called a _________________
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surface wave (water waves are an example of surface waves)
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Define wave frequency.
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Frequency is the number of waves in a certain amount of time.
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What is the unit for frequency?
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Hertz (Hz) 1 Hz = 1 wave/second
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True or False: If amplitudes are equal, high frequency waves have MORE ENERGY than low frequency waves.
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TRUE! IF amplitudes are equal, high frequency waves carry more energy than low frequency waves.
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Calculate the frequency of a wave with a speed of 30cm/sec and a wavelength of 10cm.
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30cm/sec divided by 10cm = 3 waves per second or 3Hz.
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Calculate the wavelength of a wave with a speed of 20cm/sec and a frequency of 5cm.
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20cm/sec divided by 5cm = 4 cm
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Calculate the speed of a wave with a wavelength of 5cm and a frequency of 12 Hz.
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(12 hz) times (5 cm) = 60 cm/sec
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How many waves are in the following diagram?
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3 waves total (1 crest + 1 trough = 1 wave)
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How many waves are in the following diagram?
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2.5 waves (1 crest + 1 trough = 1 wave) there are 3 crests & 2 troughs in this wave
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How many waves are in the following diagram?
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4 waves (1 compression + 1 rarefaction = 1 wave) there are 4 compressions & 4 rarefactions in this wave
