1.1 Longitudinal & Transverse Waves Flashcards
What is a wave?
A wave is a regular disturbance that transfers energy
For waves travelling through a medium, the particles of the medium _________ and transfer energy between each other
Vibrate
What is the distance of wave on a displacement/distance graph?
How far the wave has travelled from its starting point
What is the displacement of a wave on a displacement/distance graph?
How far from the equilibrium point the wave has oscillated
What is the amplitude of a wave?
The displacement from the rest position to a crest or a trough
What is the wavelength of a wave?
The wavelength is the distance between the same points on two adjacent disturbances, or from compression to compression
What is the frequency of a wave?
The number of complete waves made by the source, or the cycles passing a certain point per second
What is the frequency of a wave measured in?
Hertz (Hz) - 1 Hz is 1 wave per second
What is the period of a wave?
The number of seconds it takes for one full cycle to pass a certain point
What is the equation to find out the time period of a wave?
Period = 1 / frequency
What is the equation to find frequency from the time period?
Frequency = 1 / time period
What is the equation to find the wave speed of a wave?
Wave speed (m/s) = frequency (Hz) x wavelength (m)
Describe a transverse wave
For transverse waves, the disturbance of the medium is perpendicular (at 90 degrees) to the direction of the wave travels
Give 3 examples of transverse waves
- All the electromagnetic spectrum
- S-waves
- Ripples
Describe a longitudinal wave
For longitudinal waves, the disturbance of the medium is parallel to the direction the wave travels
