longitudinal and transverse waves Flashcards
wave frequency equation
f = 1/T
wave speed equation
v = fλ
*λ = ( m)
waves
transfer energy from one place to another without a (permanent) motion of the material which the wave is travelling through (don’t transfer matter).
- we can interpret this energy as meaningful info
why do waves oscillate (vibrate in a set way over and over again)?
to travel from one place to another.
distance (m)
how far the wave has travelled from the starting point.
displacement
how far from the equilibrium point the wave has oscillated.
amplitude
maximum displacement
wavelength
(labelled as a time period if time on the x axis)
distance of one entire oscillation
crest
top of a wave
trough
bottommost point of a wave
y axis
displacement
time period equation
T = 1/f
longitudinal waves:
!!SOUND WAVES + SEISMIC P!!
oscillations parallel to the direction of energy travel.
- some regions more spread out (refracted) others more compressed (compression).
transverse waves:
!!ALL ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES!!
oscillations perpendicular to the direction of energy travel.
frequency
the number of waves passing a given point in a second.
- inverse of wave period
