Waves, Sound, and Light Flashcards

A wave travels from water into air. Compared to its speed in water, the wave's speed in air will:

Answer: Increase

Sound travels faster in denser media like water than in less dense media like air, so moving from water to air decreases speed; however, light travels faster in air than in water.

Which property of a wave determines the pitch of a sound?

Answer: Frequency

Frequency determines pitch; higher frequency vibrations produce higher-pitched sounds.

When light passes through a prism, the colors separate because different wavelengths of light travel at different speeds inside the glass. This phenomenon is called:

Answer: Dispersion

Dispersion is the separation of white light into its component colors due to different wavelengths refracting at different angles.

Two waves are said to be 'in phase' when they:

Answer: Reach their crests and troughs at the same time

Waves in phase have their crests and troughs aligned simultaneously, leading to constructive interference.

A guitar string vibrating at its fundamental frequency also produces overtones. These overtones are called:

Answer: Harmonics

Harmonics (overtones) are integer multiples of the fundamental frequency produced by a vibrating string.

Which type of wave requires a medium (like air or water) to travel?

Answer: Mechanical wave

Mechanical waves require a physical medium to propagate, unlike electromagnetic waves that can travel through a vacuum.

The bending of waves around obstacles or through openings is called:

Answer: Diffraction

Diffraction is the bending of waves around edges or through openings, and it is most noticeable when the opening is close in size to the wavelength.