CP4a Describing Waves Flashcards
Waves on the surface of water are
transverse waves
Transverse waves
The particles in a transverse wave move up and down at right angles in the direction the wave is travelling
Longitudinal waves
Particles travel back and forth in the same direction as the wave is travelling
Example of transvers waves
Electromagnetic waves
Frequency (Hertz Hz)
The number of waves passing a point each second
1 Hertz = 1 wave passing per second
In sound, frequency determines
the pitch
For light, frequency determines
the colour
Period (seconds)
The length of time one wave takes to pass a given point
Wavelength of a wave (metres)
The distance from a point on one wave to a point in the same position on the next wave
Amplitude (metres)
The maximum distance of a point on ypthe wave away from its rest position
The greater the amplitude of a sound wave…
the louder the sound
Velocity
The speed of a wave in the direction it is travelling
Changes in frequency, wavelength or amplitude of a wave can be used to…
transfer information from one place to another
When you listen to FM radio, the music is sent by…
variations in the frequency of the radio waves
Waves transfer..
Energy
