Waves ( transverse and longitudinal ) Flashcards
What are longitudinal waves?
Waves where the vibrations are parallel to the direction wave travel
What are transverse waves?
Waves where the vibrations are at right angles to the direction of wave travel
Examples of longitudinal waves…
sound waves, ultra sound waves, seimic p waves
Examples of transverse waves…
Ripples on surface of water, vibrations in guitar strings, electromagnetic waves eg microwaves, seismic s-waves
What are the vibrations called?
Oscillations
What are oscillations?
Repeated and regular fluctuations above and below the same position
What is the order on an electromagnetic spectrum from lowest to highest frequency?
radio waves, microwaves, infared, visible light, UV, x rays, gamma rays
What is compression?
When particles are close together > high pressure
What is rarefraction?
When particles are further apart > low pressure
What is the medium?
A material which a wave can be transmitted
What is the peak?
The highest point
What is the trough?
The lowest point
What is the rest position?
Position where particles are not vibrating
How to work out frequency?
Frequency = 1 over time period
