Types of Waves Theory Flashcards
(33 cards)
It is a series of vibrations or
oscillations traveling from one
point to another.
WAVE
These waves require a medium (solid, liquid, or gas)
to propagate. They involve the transfer of energy
through the oscillation of particles within that
medium.
Mechanical Waves
It carries energy without
transferring matter.
WAVE
vibrations of particles are
perpendicular to the direction
of travel. (Examples: waves on
a string, S-waves from
earthquakes)
Transverse Wave
vibrations of particles are
parallel to the direction of
travel. (Examples: sound
waves, P-waves from
earthquakes)
Longitudinal Wave
waves that occur at the
interface between two
media. (Examples: water
waves, gravity waves)
Surface Wave
These waves do not require a medium and can
propagate through a vacuum (space).
Electromagnetic Waves
Electromagnetic Waves travel at
the speed of light and include a broad spectrum of
waves such as
radio waves, microwaves, infrared,
visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays.
This wave theory applies to subatomic particles, and
it is rooted in quantum mechanics. Matter at the
microscopic level exhibits wave-like behavior
according to the de Broglie hypothesis, where
particles like electrons exhibit wave properties.
Matter Waves
Matter at the
microscopic level exhibits wave-like behavior
according to the ___________, where
particles like electrons exhibit wave properties.
de Broglie hypothesis
the distance travelled by a
periodic or cyclic motion per
unit of time (in any direction).
Wave Velocity
the product of the wave’s
wavelength (λ) and frequency
(ƒ) and is independent of its
intensity.
Wave Velocity
distance between
identical points on consecutive
waves
Wavelength (λ)
number of waves
that pass a point per unit of time
Frequency (ƒ)
slower wave
(longer wavelength,
lower frequency)
(shorter wavelength,
higher frequency)
faster wave
Factors Influencing Wave Velocity
Wave Type
Rock Material
Depth
Elasticity, Density, and Temperature
Poisson’s Ratio
_______ and ______ are
both moving fast through
the more rigid material and
move slow through the
more dense material.
P-waves and S-waves
According to Wave Theory,
the _________ may
influence the velocity of
waves.
wave type
Only the ______ are
directly proportional to the
compressibility of the
material.
P-waves
According to _______________, there’s an
average compressional
wave velocities (at 600
MPa and 300 °C) in
variety of rocks.
Condie
(2016)
Seismic wave velocities
increase with depth in the
___________ from 6.0-
6.2 km/s at depths of less
than 10-6.6 km/s at 25 km
depth.
continental crust
Lower crustal velocities
range from
6.8-7.2 km/s.
In some continental crust,
there is evidence of a small
discontinuity at mid-crustal
depths, known as C__________________, in which wave
velocity increases in
intervals.
Conrad discontinuity
