Properties of Waves Flashcards
Describe a wave
Waves transfer energy and information
but do not transfer matter.
What are the two types of waves?
- Transverse
- Longitudinal
What is a transverse wave?
A wave for which the oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer.
What is a longitudinal wave?
A wave for which the oscillations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer.
Give two examples of transverse waves.
- Electromagnetic waves
- Seismic s-waves
- Water Waves
Give two examples of longitudinal waves.
- Sound waves
- Seismic p-waves
What are the two parts of a longitudinal wave called?
Compressions and rarefactions.
What are the two parts of a transverse wave called?
Peaks and troughs.
What is a wave’s amplitude?
The maximum displacement of a point on a wave from its undisturbed position.
What is wavelength?
● The distance from a point on a wave to the same position on the adjacent wave
● Most commonly peak to peak or
trough to trough
What is the frequency of a wave?
The number of waves that pass a given point each second.
What is the unit used for frequency?
Hertz, Hz
What is meant by a frequency of 200Hz?
200 waves pass a given point each second.
Equations for frequency (2)
Frequency = 1/period
frequency= number of waves/time
What is wave speed?
The speed at which energy is transferred through a medium.
