topic 4 waves Flashcards
waves transfer …without transferring …
energy , matter
wavelength
distance between the same parts on consecutive waves
amplitude
distance from equilibrium line to the maximum displacement
frequency
the number of waves that pass a single point per second
period
time taken for a single wave to pass a single point
wavefront
the plane in which the waves travel (i.e. the direction of the wave)
velocity =
frequency x wavelength
increase frequency =
velocity increases
wavelength increases =
velocity increases
period is inversely proportional to ..
frequency
smaller period =
higher frequency + greater velocity
what are 2 types of waves
transverse + longitudinal
transverse waves:
- light or any electromagnetic wave, seismic S waves and water waves
- has peals and troughs
- vibrations are at right angles to the one direction of travel
longitudinal waves:
- sound waves and seismic P waves
- has compressions and rarefactions
- vibrations are in the same direction as direction of travel
what is a transverse wave
a wave for which the oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer
what is a longitudinal wave
a wave for which the oscillations are parallel to the directions of energy transfer
what are the two parts of a longitudinal wave called
- compressions
- rarefactions
what are the two parts of a transverse wave called
- peaks
- troughs
what is it meant by a frequency of 200 hz
200 waves pass a given point each second
