Wave Basics Flashcards
What does a wave do
Transfers energy from one place to another without transferring any matter
What happens to particles when a wave travels through their medium
The particles oscillate and transfer energy between each other but overall the particles stay in the same place only transferring energy
What are the 3 things in a wave
Amplitude
Wavelength
Frequency
What is the amplitude of a wave
The maximum displacement of a point in a wave from its undisturbed position
What is the wavelength of a wave
The distance between the same point on 2 adjacent waves
Each trough
What is the frequency of a wave
And what is it measured in
The number of complete waves passing a certain point per second
It’s measured in hertz
What is a period of a wave and how do you find it (equation)
The amount of time it takes for a full cycle of a wave to pass a point
T=1/f
What are the 2 types of waves
Transverse and longitudinal
What happens to transverse waves
The oscillations (vibrations) are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer
What are longitudinal waves
The oscillations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer
What are the 2 things in a longitundal wave
Compressions and rarefactions
Examples of transverse waves
All electromagnetic waves
Ripples and waves in water
Waves in a string
Types of longitudinal waves
Sound waves in air like ultrasound
Shock waves like some seismic waves
What is wave speed
The speed at which energy is being transferred
What is the equation for wave speed
Wave speed = wavelength x frequency
V = f x (upside down y)
