Topic 4 - Waves Flashcards
Waves
Transfer energy and information in the direction they travel without transferring matter
Frequency
Number of complete cycles of the wave passing a certain point per second
Wavelength
The lenth of a full cycle of the wave(crest to crest or trough to trough)
Amplitude
The displacement from the rest position to a crest a trough
Period
The number of seconds it takes for one full cycle.
Period=
1/Frequency
Wavespeed
The speed at which the wave travels
Wave speed(m/s) =
Distance/Time
What is the wave equation
Wave speed(m/s) = Frequency(hz) x Wavelength(m)
Longitudinal waves
Where the vibrations are parallel to the direction of the wave. Have compressions and rarefactions.
Transverse waves
The vibrations are perpendicular to the direction of the wave
Sound waves are
Longitudinal
P-waves are
Longitudinal
EM waves are
Transverse
Seismic waves are
Transverse