Waves Flashcards
what do waves do?
transfer energy and information in the direction they are travelling
what type of waves are there?
transverse
longitudinal
what is frequency?
the number of complete cycle of the wave passing a certain point per second
what is wavelength?
the length of a full cycle of the wave
what is frequency measured in?
hertz
what are transverse waves?
vibrations are perpendicular to the direction the wave travels
which waves are transverse?
all electromagnetic waves
s-waves
ripples and waves in water
what are longitudinal waves?
the vibrations are parallel to the direction the wave travels
which waves are longitudinal?
sound
p-waves
how do longitudinal waves work?
squash up and stretch out the arrangement of particles in the medium they pass through, making compressions and rarefactions
what are compressions?
high pressure, lots of particles
what are rarefactions?
low pressure, fewer particles
