Waves

Question 1

What is a wave?

Answer 1

A wave is a means of propagating energy through a medium in the form of a disturbance.

Question 2

What is a transverse wave?

Answer 2

A transverse wave is a wave where the vibration of particles in the medium is perpendicular to the direction the energy of the wave travels.

Question 3

What is a longitudinal wave?

Answer 3

A longitudinal wave is a wave where the vibration of particles in the medium is in the same direction the energy of the wave travels.

Question 4

What is amplitude?

Answer 4

This is the vertical upward displacement of a particle from its rest position.

Question 5

What is wavelength?

Answer 5

This is the distance between successive crests or troughs; the distance between two particles of a wave in the same phase.

Question 6

What is period?

Answer 6

This is the amount of time it takes a wave to complete one cycle of oscillation.

Question 7

What is the general equation of a wave?

Answer 7

Asin(kx ± ωt,)
k = wave number = 2π/λ
ω = angular frequency= 2πf

+ = wave in negative x-direction
- = wave in position x-direction

Question 8

What is the formula for velocity in a string?

Answer 8

V = (t’ / μ)

t’ = tension, μ = linear density