Transverse and Longitudinal Waves Flashcards
What is a medium?
A general name for a material that a wave is passing through
What is the definition of amplitude?
The maximum displacement of a point on a wave from its undisturbed position.
What does wavelength measure?
-The distance between the same point on two adjacent waves
-e.g. between the trough of one wave and the trough of the wave next to it
What is frequency?
The number of complete waves passing a point per second
What equation can be used to find frequency?
*this is the amount of time for a full cycle of the wave
What are transverse waves?
waves with oscillations that are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer
Give examples of transverse waves.
-Electromagnetic waves, such as light
-Ripples and waves in water
-a wave on a string
What are longitudinal waves?
Waves with oscillations (vibrations) that are parallel to the direction of energy transfer
Give an example of a longitudinal wave.
The sound waves in air
What is wave speed?
The speed at which the energy is being transferred (the speed the wave is moving at)
What equation is used to calculate wave speed?
