Waves Flashcards
What can waves be describe as
Oscillations or vibrations about a rest position
What direction are the oscillations in longitudinal waves
Parallel to the direction of the wave travel
What direct are the oscillations in transverse waves
At a right angle to the direction of wave travel
What do waves transfer and what do they not transfer
Energy they transfer but not matter
Rest position
The undisturbed position of particles or fields when they are not vibrating
Displacement
The distance that a certain point in the medium has moved from its rest position
Peak
The highest point above the rest postion
Trough
The lowest point below the rest postion
Amplitude
The maximum displacement of a point of a wave from its rest position
Wavelength
Distance covered by a full cycle of the wave usually measured from peak to peak or trough to trot
Time period
The time taken for a full cycle of the wave usually measured peak to peak or trough to trough
Frequency
The number of waves passing a point each second
Time period of a wave calculation
1 divided by frequency
Wave speed calculation.
Wave speed=frequency x wavelength
Speed of sound calculation
Speed = distance divided by time
Ripple tank
Set up ripple tank, adjust the height of the wooden rod so that it touches the surface of the water, switch on the lamp and motor and adjust until low frequency waves can be clearly observed, measure the length of a number of waves then divided by the number of waves to record wavelength. Take a photograph of the card with the ruler and take measurements of the picture for this, count the number of waves passing a point in ten seconds then divided by 10 to record frequency land calculate the wave speed
