How do particle vibrations orient in transverse waves?
They are perpendicular to the wave's direction of travel.
How do particle vibrations orient in longitudinal waves?
They are parallel to the wave's direction of travel.
What is amplitude in a wave?
The maximum displacement of a particle from equilibrium.
What does wavelength measure in a wave?
The distance between corresponding points on successive waves.
How does sound travel through a medium?
By vibrations passed between particles.
Why can't sound travel through a vacuum?
Because no particles are available to transmit vibrations.
What does pitch depend on in sound waves?
Frequency.
What does loudness depend on in sound waves?
Amplitude.
What does the law of reflection state about incidence and reflection angles?
They are equal and measured from the normal.
What is the normal in wave reflection or refraction?
An imaginary line perpendicular to the surface at the wave's meeting point.
What changes occur to a wave during refraction?
Its speed and wavelength change but frequency stays the same.
What is diffraction in wave behavior?
The spreading of waves through gaps or around obstacles.
When is diffraction greatest relative to gap size and wavelength?
When the gap size is comparable to the wavelength.
What formula calculates wave speed from frequency and wavelength?
How are frequency and period mathematically related?
What formula finds distance to a reflecting surface using echo time?
Why is distance divided by 2 in echo distance calculations?
Because time includes the journey to the surface and back.
What is the order of electromagnetic spectrum regions by wavelength?
Radio, microwave, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, X-ray, gamma.
What happens to energy as electromagnetic wave frequency increases?
Energy increases with increasing frequency.
What happens to wavelength as electromagnetic wave frequency increases?
Wavelength decreases with increasing frequency.
What type of waves do ultrasound scans use to produce images?
High-frequency sound waves.
What is the use of X-rays in imaging?
Imaging internal structures.
How does SONAR detect or measure underwater objects?
By using sound echoes.
What does thermal imaging detect?
Infrared radiation associated with temperature.
What are two main uses of ultrasound in medicine and industry?
Medical scanning and detecting internal flaws or measuring structures in industry.
What are two benefits of ultrasound applications?
Non-invasive imaging and practical inspection.
What are two limitations of ultrasound imaging?
Restricted image quality and difficulty examining some structures.
What must be considered when evaluating ultrasound scientifically?
Possible risks, benefits, limitations, and supporting evidence.
What distinguishes transverse from longitudinal waves in examples?
The orientation of particle vibrations relative to wave travel direction.
Which wave features are crests and troughs associated with?
Transverse waves.
Which wave features are compressions and rarefactions associated with?
Longitudinal waves.
What is frequency in sound waves?
The number of complete waves passing a point per unit time.
What does frequency measure in vibrations?
The number of vibrations passing a point per unit time.
What is the period of a wave?
The time taken for one complete wave or vibration.
What causes an echo in terms of sound waves?
Sound waves reflect off a surface and return after the original sound.
How do you calculate frequency from number of cycles and time?
Which units must be consistent in wave calculations?
Metres, seconds, hertz, and metres per second.
Why must electromagnetic spectrum applications be matched to each region?
Because regions have different uses and hazards.
What types of impacts should be considered alongside ultrasound's scientific effectiveness?
Social, environmental, economic, and ethical impacts.
What four steps should a scientific evaluation of ultrasound include?
Identify benefits and limitations, explain them with wave or imaging principles, consider risks, and reach a justified conclusion.
Test your knowledge with 16 questions on Waves Physics Practice Assessment.
1. Regarding transverse and longitudinal waves, which statement(s) is/are correct?
2. Concerning amplitude and wavelength, tick the correct statement(s):
Review the complete course in the study sheet for Waves Physics Practice Assessment.
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