3 WAVES Flashcards
Unit for temperature
Degrees
Unit for frequency
Hertz (Hz)
Unit for distance
Metre (m)
Unit for speed
Metre/second (m/s)
Unit for time
Second (s)
Difference between longitudinal and transverse wave
Transverse waves oscillate perpendicular (90) to the direction of wave travel, whereas longitudinal waves oscillate parallel to the direction of wave travel
Examples of transverse wave
- Water waves
- Electromagnetic (specific)
- Seismic S wave
Examples of longitudinal wave
- Sound
- Shock
- Seismic P wave
Define amplitude
Maximum displacement of oscillation from the equilibrium point
Define wavelength
Distance between 2 consecutive crests (on a transverse), or distance between 2 consecutive compressions (on a longitudinal)
Define time period
Time for one wave to pass a certain point
Define frequency
Number of waves that pass per unit time
Wave speed equation
Wave speed = wavelength x frequency
Wavelength equation
Wavelength = wave speed / frequency
Symbol for wave speed
v
Symbol for frequency
f
Law of waves
All waves transfer energy and information, without transferring matter
Frequency equation
Frequency = 1 / Time period
Time Period equation
Time period = 1 / frequency
Time period symbol
T
Define the doppler effect
The apparent change in frequency or wavelength of a wave for an observer moving relative to it’s source
Why do you hear a high then low pitch as a car approaches you?
- As the car moves towards you, the wavefronts bunch up and the wavelength decreases
- Speed of the car remains the same
- v = f (X) means wavelength decreases, and frequency increases for the same speed
- You hear a higher pitch
EM spectrum in increasing wavelength
- Gamma
- X-ray
- Ultraviolet
- Visible light
- Infrared
- Microwave
- Radio wave
EM spectrum in decreasing wavelength
- Radio wave
- Microwave
- Infrared
- Visible light
- Ultraviolet
- X-ray
- Gamma