Transverse and Longitudinal Waves Flashcards
What do waves transfer and not transfer?
They transfer energy but not matter
What happens when waves travel through a medium?
The particles of the medium oscillate and transfer energy between each other
What is the amplitude of a wave?
The maximum displacement of a point on the wave from its undisturbed position.
What is the wavelength of a wave?
The distance between the same point on two adjacent waves (e.g between the trough of one wave and the wave next to it)
What is the frequency of a wave?
The number of complete waves passing a certain point per second.
What is frequency measured in?
Hertz (Hz)
What is 1 wave per second measured as?
1Hz
What is the period of a wave?
The amount of time it takes for a full cycle of the wave
What are the 2 types of waves?
Transverse and longitudinal
What is the equation linking period and frequency?
What happens in transverse waves?
The oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer
What kind of waves are transverse?
- Electromagnetic waves
- Ripples in water
- A wave on a string
What happens in longitudinal waves?
The oscillations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer
Give an example of a longitudinal wave
Sound waves
What is the wave speed of a wave?
The speed at which energy is being transferred
What is the wave equation?
