general wave properties πββοΈ Flashcards
what is a wave?
wave is a periodic motion that transfers energy from one point to another without transferring any matter
what is a transverse wave?
a wave that travels perpendicular to the direction of the vibration
what is a longitudinal wave?
a wave that travels parallel to the direction of the vibration
what is amplitude?
maximum displacement of a point from its rest position (source dependent)
what is wavelength?
the length of one full wave from one point to the next same point (medium dependent)
what is period?
the time taken to produce a full wave (source dependent)
what is frequency?
the number of complete waves produced per second (source dependent)
what is wavefront?
an imaginary line on a wave that joins adjacent points on the line at the crest
what happens to a wave when it enters shallower water?
wavelength decreases frequency stays the same, speed decreases