Waves Flashcards
Unit of measurement used to measure energy
Joule
The substance through which a wave moves
Medium
The point at which a wave is at its maximum upwards value
Crest
The point at which a wave is at its minimum downwards value.
Trough
The distance from a point on a wave until it repeats itself on the next wave (corresponding point). Eg. Crest to crest.
Wavelength
unit of measurement: (metre)
The number of waves per second
Frequency (f)
Unit of measurement: hertz (Hz)
The maximum height of a wave from its rest position
Amplitude (A)
Unit of measurement: (metre)
The time for a particle to move through one complete wave cycle.
Period (T)
Unit of measurement: (second)
A rapid and continuous back and forth up and down movement
Vibration
Use the relationship between speed, frequency and wavelength to perform simple calculations
V=f(wavelength)
Waves that need a medium to travel in
Mechanical wave
Ex: sound wave, water wave
To continue through
Propagate
Particles in this type of wave travel at right angles to the direction of energy propagation
Transverse waves
Ex: electromagnetic radiation (emr), water
Particles in this type of wave travel back and forth in the same plane as the direction of energy propagation
Longitudinal waves
Ex: sound
Energy that travels as waves at the speed of light. EMR does not need a medium in which too propagate
Electromagnetic radiation (emr)