Waves Flashcards
What is a transverse wave?
The oscillation/vibration is at right angles to the direction of energy
What is a longitudinal wave?
The oscillation/vibration is in the same direction as the motion of the wave
Examples of a transverse wave
Light waves, EM spectrum waves
Example of a longitudinal wave
Sound waves
Speed if light / c
3 x 10^8 m s^-1
What is a wavelength?
The horizontal distance between successive crests or troughs
What is the amplitude of a wave?
half the vertical distance between crest and trough
What is a period of a wave?
the time it takes one wave to pass a point
s (seconds)
What is the frequency of a wave?
the number of waves produced in one second
Hz
What does this formula mean?
d=vt
distance = velocity(speed) x time
What does this formula mean?
f=N/t
frequency(Hz)=Number of waves/time for the waves
What does this formula mean?
f=1/T
frequency(Hz)=1/Period of a wave
