waves Flashcards
transverse waves
waves in which the direction of vibration of the particles about their equilibrium positions is at right angles/perpendicular to the direction of travel of the wave
longitudinal waves
waves in which the direction of vibration of the particles about their equilibrium positions is parallel to the direction of travel of the wave
crests
highest points of a transverse wave
troughs
lowest points of a transverse wave
amplitude
maximum displacement of a particle from rest or equilibrium position, in either direction
wavelength
the shortest distance between any 2 points in a wave that are in phase
frequency
number of complete waves produced per second
period
time take for one point on the wave to complete one oscillation
particles that are traveling in phase are:
- traveling in the same direction
- at the same speed
- same displacement from equilibrium
wave speed
distance travelled by a wave in one second
wavefronts
imaginary lines joining through all points moving in the same phase;
lines joining through all the crests of a wave
factors affecting speed
- mechanical properties of the medium
- friction in the water
factors affecting frequency
- source of vibration/disturbance
factors affecting affecting wavelength
- frequency
- speed
factors affecting period
- speed
speed of light
3.0x10^8 m/s
what is a wave
a wave is a traveling disturbance that transfers energy from one place to another
describe the movement of particles in the rope as the wave passed by
the particles 1 to 10 in the rope oscillate up and down about their equilibrium positions at right angles to the direction of propagation of the wave. each particle oscillates at the same amplitude and frequency as the wave passes through it.
