Waves (topic 4) Flashcards
What are transverse waves?
Light and other types of electromagnetic radiation are transverse waves. Water waves and S waves (a type of seismic wave) are also transverse waves. In transverse waves, the vibrations/movement of particles are at right angles to the direction of travel.
What are longitudinal waves?
Sound waves, waves in a stretched spring and P waves are longitudinal waves. In longitudinal waves, the vibrations are along the same direction as the direction of travel.
How do you work out wave speed?
Speed= frequency X wavelength
What are the differences between s-waves and p-waves?
- S waves can only travel in solids where as P waves can travel in solids and liquids
- S waves are transverse whereas P waves are longitudinal
What is the amplitude of a wave?
The difference between the undisturbed/middle and the crest of a wave
What do all waves of the electromagnetic Spectrum have in common?
They travel at the speed of light.
What is frequency measured in?
Hertz
Hz
What are s waves?
A seismic, transverse wave which can only travel in solids.
What are p waves?
A seismic, longitudinal wave which can travel in both solids and liquids.
How do seismic waves show that the outer core is liquid?
Because they can only pass through solids, they et reflected by the liquid core and create a s wave shadow zone, thus proving that the outer core is liquid. P waves also create a shadow zone made by the change in density causing refractions.
How do seismic waves show the earth has different densities and how do they show the thickness of each section of the earth?
When seismic waves enter a different density, they refract. This can show the different boundary layers from where the density changes, for example the liquid outer core and the solid inner core. This can also be used to show the thickness of each layer by how far about the refractions are, for example to show the thickness of the earths crust.
