Waves 1 * Flashcards
Waves are one of the ways energy can be ________ between ______
transferred between stores
Waves can be described as _________ or ________ around a rest position
oscillations or vibrations
What are longitudinal waves?
Give three examples
the vibrations are parallel to the direction of wave travel
travel back and forth
eg. sound waves, ultrasound waves, seismic P-waves
What are transverse waves?
Give three examples
the vibrations are at right angles to the direction of wave travel
particles vibrate up and down
eg. ripples, electromagnetic waves, seismic S-waves
What are mechanical waves?
cause oscillations of particles in a solid, liquid or gas and must have a medium to travel through
once the wave has passed, the medium ends up back at its rest position
eg. waves on a beach
What are electromagnetic waves?
Cause oscillations in electrical and magnetic fields
all electromagnetic waves are transverse
What is the rest position of a wave?
the undisturbed position of the particles or fields when they are not vibrating
What is the displacement of a wave?
the distance that a certain point in the medium has moved from its rest position
What is the peak of a wave?
the highest point above the rest position
What is the trough of a wave?
the lowest point below the rest position
What is the amplitude of a wave?
the maximum displacement of a point of a wave from its rest position
What is the wavelength of a wave?
the distance covered by a full cycle of the wave
usually measured from peak to peak or trough to trough
What is the time period of a wave?
the time taken for a full cycle of a wave
usually measured from peak to peak or trough to trough
What is the frequency of a wave?
the number of waves passing a point each second
How do you calculate the time period of a wave?
time period (s) = 1 / frequency (Hz)
