Waves Flashcards
What is a wave?
A disturbance propagating without the transport of matter
It carries energy and momentum over long distances through propagation
Mechanical waves need…
a medium to travel through
EM Waves
Consist of oscillating electric and magnetic fields at riht angles to each other and the direction of travel of the wave
Travels at the speed of light in a vacuum
Transverse waves
Movement of particles are perpendicular to the direction of travel of the wave
Longitudinal waves
Movement of particles are in ther same direction to the direction of travel of a wave
Amplitude
The maximum distance a particle is from its equilibrium position
Frequency
The number of oscillations per unit time
Period
The time for one full oscillation
Displacement
The distance a particle is from its equilibrium position
