Physics - Waves Flashcards
What is a wave?
A wave transfers energy from one place to another without any transfer of matter
How is a wave created?
Particles or electromagnetic fields vibrate through a medium
What evidence is there that waves travel not matter?
Waves in water travels towards the land. The water doesn’t move onto land leaving an absence behind it
What is a transverse wave?
The vibrations are perpendicular to the direction of motion ~~~~
Which waves are transverse?
Water, Electromagnetic radiation and light
What is a longitudinal wave?
The vibrations are parallel to the direction of motion ll ll ll ll
Which waves are transverse?
Sound
What is compression?
When the particles are close together
What is a rarefaction?
When the particles are far apart
What is frequency?
The number of vibrations per second
What is frequency measured in?
Hertz (Hz)
What is time period?
The amount of time taken to pass a certain point
What is time period measured in?
Seconds (s)
What is amplitude?
The maximum displacement a wave can be from it’s rest position
What is wavelength?
The distance from one point of a wave to the same point on the next. Peak-peak
Equation for wave speed
Wave speed= Frequency x Wavelength
