Wave Basics Flashcards
Waves transfer [ ] from one place to the other without transferring any [ ]
energy
matter
What are the 3 ways of measuring a wave?
Amplitude, wavelength and frequency
What’s amplitude?
The displacement from the rest position to the crest
Basically ~~~~~ the height of one bump but NOT the height of the trough to the crest
What’s wavelength?
The length of a full cycle of the wave (crest to crest)
What’s frequency?
The number of complete waves passing a certain point per second OR the number of waves produced by a source each second.
Measured in hertz (Hz). 1 Hz = 1 wave per second
Draw a diagram including a wave, frequency, amplitude and wavelength
Please
Most waves are [ ].
Transverse
Give examples of transverse waves?
1) Light + all other EM waves
2) Ripples on water
3) Waves on strings
4) A slinky spring wiggled up and down
Define a transverse wave
In Transverse waves the vibrations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer of the wave
(Vibrations are going up and down while the wave is travelling along the X-axis)
Waves can either be [ ] or [ ].
Transverse or Longitudinal
Give examples of longitudinal waves
1) Sound waves - and ultrasound
2) Shock waves (seismic waves)
3) A slinky spring when you push the end
Define a Longitudinal wave
In Longitudinal waves the vibrations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer of the wave
What is a compression?
In Longitudinal waves where the eave is compressed
What is rarefaction?
In longitudinal waves where the wave has stretched
What makes up a wavelength in Longitudinal waves?
From a compression to compression
