Transverse Waves Flashcards
What do waves do?
transfer energy from one place to another without transporting any matter
What is oscillation?
vibration repeated (side to side/back and forth)
motion about a fixed point
particle oscillation is at __ degrees to the wave direction
90
What is displacement?
distance from rest position (of a particle in a wave)
What is amplitude?
maximum displacement
What is wavelength?
distance between successive peaks or troughs
What are some examples of transverse waves?
water, springs, electromagnetic waves, seismic waves…
What is frequency?
number of oscillations per second
formula for frequency
1/time for one complete oscillation (T)
OR
number of oscillations/time taken
formula for wave speed
frequency X wavelength
What is a time period (T)?
time for one complete oscillation of a particle
What is the formula for speed?
distance/time
