Physics : Waves and the Electromagnetic Spectrum Flashcards
What do waves transfer?
Energy and information
What is the height of a single wave from rest position called?
Amplitude
What is a full cycle of a wave (crest to crest) called?
Wavelength
What is the number of complete cycles of waves passing a point per second called?
Frequency
What is the number of second to complete one full cycle called?
Period
How do you calculate the period?
1 / f
one / frequency
How do vibrations travel in transverse waves?
The vibrations are perpendicular to the direction they travel in
The vibrations go up and down
What are some examples of transverse waves?
All electromagnetic waves (light, )
S- Waves
Ripples/waves in water
How do vibrations travel in longitudinal waves?
The vibrations are parallel to the direction of travel
What are some examples of longitudinal waves?
Sound waves
P-Waves
What do longitudinal waves do to the arrangement of particles?
They squash and stretch the arrangement of particles, making compression and rarefactions
What does wave speed tell you?
How quickly a wave moves through space
How can you calculate wave speed? Equation 1
wave speed = distance / time
v = x / t
How can you calculate wave speed? Equation 2
wave speed = wavelength x frequency
v = f x λ
