Waves

Front

What is a wave?

Back

A wave is a disturbance that transfers energy from one place to another without transferring matter.

Front

What is wavelength?

Back

Wavelength is the distance between two consecutive crests or troughs in a wave.

Front

What is frequency?

Back

Frequency is the number of waves that pass a point in one second, measured in Hertz (Hz).

Front

What is amplitude?

Back

Amplitude is the maximum distance that points on a wave move from their rest position.

Front

What is the difference between mechanical and electromagnetic waves?

Back

Mechanical waves require a medium (like air or water) to travel through, while electromagnetic waves can travel through a vacuum.

Front

Can sound travel through a vacuum?

Back

No, sound cannot travel through a vacuum because it requires a medium to propagate.

Front

What is the speed of light in a vacuum?

Back

The speed of light in a vacuum is approximately 299,792 kilometers per second (km/s).

Front

What happens to light when it enters a different medium?

Back

Light changes speed and may bend, a phenomenon known as refraction.

Front

What is reflection in terms of waves?

Back

Reflection is the bouncing back of a wave when it hits a barrier.

Front

What is refraction?

Back

Refraction is the bending of waves as they pass from one medium to another due to a change in speed.