4. The nature of waves Flashcards
What are transverse waves?
Particle oscillations perpendicular to propagation of the wave
Examples of transverse wave?
- Water waves
- S-Waves (seismic)
- Vibrations on a guitar string
- Em-waves
What are longitudinal waves?
Particle oscillations parallel with propagation of the wave
Examples of longitudinal waves?
- Sound waves
- P-waves (seismic)
- Ultra-sound
What are progressive waves?
Transfers energy from one place to another with no net movement of particles/material
Can be either transverse/longitudinal
What’s the amplitude of a wave?
Maximum displacement of a wave when measured from the equilibrium position
unit: metres (m)
What’s the wavelength of a wave?
Distance between adjacent peaks of a wave
[Distance between adjacent points on a wave that are in-phase]
unit: metres (m)
What’s frequency of a wave?
Number of wavelengths passing a point per unit time
unit: Hertz (Hz)
What’s the period of wave?
Time taken for a wave to make one complete oscillation
unit: seconds (s)
How to find the frequency of wave using period?
It’s just f = 1/T
(in booklet, if u know u know)
What’s wave displacement?
Distance and direction of a vibrating particle in a wave measured from its undisturbed position
unit: metres (m)
In a wave displacement graph, displacement along length of wave = ??? graph?
Displacement distance graph
In a wave displacement graph, displacement with time for a point on the wave = ?? graph?
Displacement time graph
If it’s in phase, what it mean?
Doing same thing at the same time
If it’s in antiphase, what it mean?
Doing opposite things at same time
