Properties of Wave Pulses and Waves - AP Physics 2

1. What is the formula for calculating period?

   $T = \frac{1}{f}$. Period and frequency are reciprocals.

2. Identify the unit for wave speed.

   Meters per second (m/s). Distance traveled per unit time.

3. What is the period of a wave?

   The time for one complete cycle of the wave. Measured in seconds for one oscillation.

4. What does the speed of sound depend on?

   Temperature and medium properties. Sound speed increases with temperature in gases.

5. Calculate the frequency if the period of a wave is 0.25 s.

   $f = 4 \text{ Hz}$. Using $f = 1/T = 1/0.25$.

6. What does the term 'wavefront' refer to?

   A line of points in phase with each other. Represents wave's advancing edge or crest.

7. What is the Doppler effect?

   Change in frequency due to relative motion of source and observer. Observer hears higher pitch when source approaches.

8. What is the difference between pulse and periodic wave?

   A pulse is a single disturbance; a periodic wave is a continuous disturbance. Pulse is single event, periodic wave repeats.

9. Find the wavelength if the wave speed is 340 m/s and frequency is 680 Hz.

   $\lambda = 0.5 \text{ m}$. Using $v = f\lambda$, so $\lambda = v/f = 340/680$.

10. What is destructive interference?

    When waves subtract to make a smaller amplitude. Waves out of phase create cancellation.

11. Identify the part of the wave where compression occurs.

    In a longitudinal wave, it is a region of high pressure. Particles are squeezed together in this region.

12. What is the wavelength of a wave?

    The distance between two consecutive crests or troughs. One complete cycle measures this distance.

13. What is refraction in terms of waves?

    Change in wave direction when it enters a different medium. Speed and direction change at medium boundaries.

14. What is resonance in waves?

    Amplification of a wave when frequency matches natural frequency of the system. Natural frequency matching creates maximum amplitude response.

15. Identify the unit for wavelength.

    Meters (m). Distance unit in the metric system.

16. State the formula for wave speed.

    $v = f \lambda$. Speed equals frequency times wavelength.

17. What is the principle of wave reflection?

    Waves bounce back when they hit a boundary. Angle of incidence equals angle of reflection.

18. Find the wave speed if the wavelength is 2 m and frequency is 5 Hz.

    $v = 10 \text{ m/s}$. Using $v = f\lambda = 5 \times 2$.

19. State the relationship between frequency and wavelength for constant speed.

    Frequency inversely proportional to wavelength. From $v = f\lambda$, if $v$ constant then $f \propto 1/\lambda$.

20. What is a node in a standing wave?

    A point of zero amplitude in a standing wave. Created by interference between incident and reflected waves.

21. State the formula for frequency in terms of period.

    $f = \frac{1}{T}$. Frequency and period are reciprocals.

22. What is constructive interference?

    When waves add up to make a larger amplitude. Waves in phase create reinforcement.

23. What is the amplitude of a wave?

    The maximum displacement from equilibrium position. Determines the wave's energy and intensity.

24. What is a longitudinal wave?

    A wave with oscillations parallel to wave direction. Sound waves are the primary example.

25. What is the definition of a wave pulse?

    A single disturbance that moves through a medium. Unlike periodic waves, it's a one-time disturbance.

26. What is a transverse wave?

    A wave with oscillations perpendicular to wave direction. Like waves on a string or water surface.

27. What is the principle of superposition?

    The sum of individual wave displacements at any point. Waves combine algebraically at each point.

28. What is the definition of frequency?

    The number of waves passing a point per second. Measured in cycles per second or Hertz.

29. What is the unit of frequency in the International System of Units (SI)?

    Hertz (Hz). Named after Heinrich Hertz, equals cycles per second.

30. Which type of wave does not require a medium?

    Electromagnetic wave. Light waves can travel through vacuum.

31. What does the symbol $\lambda$ represent in wave equations?

    Wavelength. Greek letter lambda denotes this wave property.

32. Identify the phase difference between two in-phase waves.

    0 radians. Waves perfectly aligned create maximum constructive interference.

33. What is the phase difference for destructive interference?

    $\pi$ radians (180 degrees). Half-cycle difference causes complete cancellation.

34. What type of wave requires a medium to propagate?

    Mechanical wave. Sound waves and water waves are examples.

35. State the formula for wave speed in terms of frequency and wavelength.

    $v = f \lambda$. Fundamental wave relationship for all wave types.

36. Calculate the speed of a wave with a period of 2 s and wavelength of 4 m.

    $v = 2 \text{ m/s}$. Using $v = \lambda/T = 4/2$.

37. What is an antinode in a standing wave?

    A point of maximum amplitude in a standing wave. Located between nodes in standing wave patterns.

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